CHAPTER IV. 



HINTS AND HELPS. 



For Early Market. — The secret of the earliest out- 

 door rhubarb, which always brings a good price, con- 

 sists in an early variety grown on early land with a 

 protected, sunny slope. High manuring must not be 

 omitted, for the rankest growing plants are also the 

 earliest. Good cultivation is the remaining essential 

 to earliness. The bulk of the crop will of course depend 

 largely upon the water supply, and irrigation will pay, 

 if practicable. In starting the plantation, set only plants 

 with strong, vigorous looking roots. Accept only those 

 which have grown rapidly under high culture, and do 

 not be swindled with stunted roots dug out of grass land. 



The ground should be plowed deeply, since the roots 

 go down three or four feet. In regard to manuring there 

 is no danger of getting too much. Rhubarb is the rank- 

 est of rank feeders, and manure may be applied in any 

 quantity directly to the hill when setting the crowns. 

 10 or 12 cords to the acre is none too much. The ma- 

 jority of growers make a mistake right here in not feed- 

 ing the plant liberally enough. Set the plants either 

 4 X 4 or 3 X 5 feet. When set 4 x 4 the hills can be 

 cultivated both ways, but the plant itself gives so much 

 shade that most growers cultivate only one way and the 

 weeds give little trouble. Xo hand hoeing is needed. 

 The main difficulty is in getting the rhubarb rightly 

 started. 



