24 THE NEW EHUBARB CULTURE. 



but the plants, and not the roof or rafters, are what re- 

 quire the heat. Plan then to apply the heat low down. 



Heating Apparatus. — In Chapter I., the illustration 

 showing a cellar with heat just started, shows plainly 

 the method used there. In large cellars, two stoves 

 placed at given distances from either end will give 

 better results. In the house cellar 36 x 54 feet in size, 

 described in the same chapter, no other heat than two 

 large kerosene lamps was used. In my own house cellar 

 20 X 28 feet, I have been entirely successful with a two 

 burner gasoline stove. Over one burner was placed an 

 adjustable oven, to somewhat assist in radiation; and 

 over the other burner a kettle of water. This arrange- 

 ment answered to conserve both heat and moisture so 

 that in a period of nearly three months, the plants were 

 watered but once. It will often occur that a cellar other- 

 wise nicely adapted for the work is not provided with a 

 flue or smoke escape. In that case, use oil or gasoline 

 stoves or large oil lamps. 



In this connection let me mention still another fact, 

 which will be of service. If, in preparing the cellar, 

 due caution is observed to provide absolutely against 

 frost, the cost of heating will amount to almost nothing. 

 In building cellars then, expressly for the purpose, cover 

 the sides above ground and the roof with manure, straw 

 and earth or anything else at hand so that the tempera- 

 ture inside shall not vary with the changes of weather, 

 and your heating problem is practically solved. House 

 cellars may be thoroughly banked, and root cellars al- 

 ready built may be recovered, and so managed as to gain 

 the desired results. 



As to Temperature. — This matter may be entirely 

 governed by circumstances. Ehubarb so adjusts itself to 

 circumstances that changes of 30 to 50 degrees will not 



