92 HORTICULTURE LBCT. vi 



leave sufficient for planting the same, or a similar 

 piece of ground again. For replanting, the roots are 

 divided by the spade, taking care that each portion 

 has a strong crown attached, and that the roots are 

 damaged as little as possible, each root lifted usually 

 furnishing four or more crowns for replanting ; before 

 this is done the land is deeply dug or ploughed and is 

 heavily manured. The roots are then planted a yard 

 apart in rows the same distance asunder. During 

 the early part of the first season the hoe is frequently 

 required amongst the young plants, to promote 

 rapid growth, and to keep down weeds. Later on 

 when the foliage of the rhubarb meets, and so covers 

 the ground, weeds cannot flourish. 



F.or forcing, the roots are simply packed closely 

 together upon the ground floor of the sheds, leaving 

 a pathway about three feet in width down the centre 

 of each ; some rich soil is worked in amongst and 

 over the roots, and they are kept moist by watering, 

 a temperature of 50 to 60 being maintained by the 

 flues and very little light admitted. In this way are 

 produced the immense quantities of rhubarb sold in 

 the markets and shops. 



A cottager who has only room for a few roots may 

 readily force one or more of them without lifting, 

 by covering them with old casks, which should be 

 painted black or tarred outside (not inside), and cover- 

 ing these in turn with leaves, long strawy manure, or 

 litter of any kind, if such be available. It should 

 here be stated that roots lifted and forced, as de- 

 scribed, are of no further use afterwards, except to 

 be rotted down as manure, and it would be a mistake 

 to replant them again. 



Fruit Planting 1 . Formerly regarded as an article 

 of luxury, fruit now takes rank as a desirable 

 compound of the dietary of healthy persons, and, 



