90 LUTHER BURBANK 



for a few weeks in the spring. So the popularity 

 of the winter rhubarb from the standpoint of the 

 grower as well as of the dealer and consumer, 

 is not hard to understand. 



It may be added, as further evidencing the 

 unusual qualities of the new plant, that it grows 

 in almost any soil, although giving quick re- 

 sponse to good conditions of cultivation like the 

 older varieties; that it propagates readily from 

 root division and under these circumstances re- 

 mains altogether true to the perfected type; and 

 that it is unusually productive and requires no 

 unusual attention, so that any amateur may grow 

 it in his garden even more readily than he grows 

 the ordinary rhubarb. 



It must be understood, however, that the plant 

 cannot thrive in latitudes where it is buried under 

 snow, as the steady production of leaves appears 

 to be essential to its very existence. 



In the colder parts of California it does indeed 

 cease to grow actively in the heart of winter, but 

 even then it submits to adverse conditions reluc- 

 tantly, if the phrase may be permitted; that is, 

 it stops putting forth new leaves only when 

 the conditions are exceedingly unfavorable and 

 immediately resumes new growth when the 

 slightest change for the better in the weather 

 occurs. 



