WORK OF FORCING. 17 



be grown in succession. In this case as soon as the first 

 roots cease bearing they should be removed from the 

 cellar and protected from severe freezing and thawing; 

 this can best be done by piling them in a shed, or giving 

 them a light covering of straw or coarse litter. In the 

 Spring they may be used for propagating which will 

 be treated of in another chapter. The roots for second 

 crop may then be placed in the cellar and forcing con- 

 tinued. 



Preparing the Roots. — In extensive operations it is 

 economy to turn the roots out with the plow. 



The illustration "Plowing Out Rhubarb Roots," was 

 taken on the grounds of an extensive grower and shows 

 the work of preparing the roots for the cellar, in actual 

 operation. 



With a spade, a line or mark is made along the row, 

 but four to six inches distant from it, as a guide to the 

 plow. Set the plow as deeply as possible, turning the 

 furrow away from the row; a second furrow is plowed 

 on the opposite side of the row same distance from it 

 as before, turning the roots over into the first furrow 

 plowed. If the coulter is sharp and clean-cutting as it 

 should be, this will cut off aU the lateral prongs on two 

 sides. Xow with the spade turn the roots out so 

 they shall not be buried in the loose soil of the furrow, 

 trim off remaining prongs on the other sides, and leave 

 them until ready to put into the cellar. In very drv' or 

 loose sandy soil the earth is liable to nearly all fall off the 

 roots when turning them out; in this case simply turn 

 the furrows away from both sides of the row of roots and 

 leave the turning out and trimming up until the clumps 

 are frozen. They can then be trimmed up and properly 

 shaped with the loss of but very little soil. 



The illustration "Rhubarb Roots Ready for the 



