LECT. vi PLANTING VEGETABLES AND FRUITS 91 



it sold for <7 the second year after planting, and in 

 five years the sum obtained was 90, or an average 

 of ,18 equal to <72 per acre. 



As a market crop rhubarb is the most profitable 

 when lifted and forced, so as to be ready for market- 

 ing from early in January to the end of March, 

 during which period it finds a ready sale at remune- 

 rative prices. In the neighbourhood of Leeds the 



FIG. 22. RHUBARB. 



The figure on the left represents a division with crowns for planting, the 

 next a mature stool and crowns for forcing or yielding stalks naturally, 

 the third forced produce. 



cultivation of rhubarb for lifting and forcing is a 

 great industry, hundreds of acres of land being so 

 occupied. 



The system of culture adopted is most simple but 

 effectual. The roots are lifted for forcing at the end 

 of the second or third year from planting ; a sufficient 

 number of roots is lifted each season, not only to 

 furnish the quantity required for forcing, but also to 



