GARDENING AND TRUCK FARMING. 311 



tenderer it will be. The earliest sowing may be made as .soon 

 as the land can be worked; but as these are sometimes killed, 

 sow again in a few days, and every two weeks for a succession. 

 The best varieties are French Breakfast, Early Olive-shaped, 

 Long Scarlet, and White and Scarlet Turnip. We have, also, 

 several varieties of winter radish, which may be sown in August 

 and used through the winter. The best of these are the Chi- 

 nese Rose, Chinese White, California Mammoth, White and 

 Black Spanish. 



Rhubarb. Whether for the family or market, rhubarb is 

 a valuable crop. It comes into use earlier than any other prod- 

 uct of the garden, and at a season when the system craves 

 something tart. The land should be plowed as deep as possi- 

 ble, and made very rich for this plant, and it should be covered 

 with manure every fall so as to protect it from Trost, and enable 

 it to start early in the spring. The crop is a profitable one and 

 will bring several hundred dollars per acre. The common method 

 of propagating is by subdividing the roots, but after many years 

 experience in growing it from seed, I would recommend this 

 method : Seed should be sown in May in a rich, fine soil. If 

 thoroughly cultivated, the plants will usually grow large enough 

 by fall so that good sized stems for table use can be had from 

 them, and if not transplanted will yield a half crop the next 

 spring. If transplanted it is best not to use from it till the 

 second year. The plants may be grown within six inches of 

 each other in the nursery bed, but should be thinned to four 

 feet the following spring. Rhubarb may be had very early in 

 the spring if well covered with manure in the fall, and about 

 the middle of February the manure is removed from the crown 

 and an old barrel, with both heads knocked out, placed over it 

 and banked round the outside with warm, fresh manure. 



The varieties most in use are the Linnaeus, Victoria, and 

 Cahoon. The first named is the earliest, and is of excellent 

 flavor, and less acid than any other. The Victoria is later, but 

 very large, and is the most profitable for the main crop. The 

 Cahoon is a large, late variety, and was extensively sold under 

 the name of Wine Plant some years ago. 



