332 CALIFORNIA VEGETABLES. 



the ground in the same way already described for aspara- 

 gus, and the same care of the seedling as there indicated 

 will bring good, strong rhubarb roots for planting out as 

 yearlings. Mr. Ira W. Adams gives the following special 

 advice for rhubarb seedlings : 



Prepare the bed the same as for asparagus. Sow the 

 seed in rows one foot apart, and one inch apart in the row 

 in a little furrow one inch deep ; tamp down lightly with 

 the back of a steel rake and cover with the finest of soil, 

 as the seeds are small and light. When the plants are an 

 inch or two high, they can be transplanted into rows 12 

 inches apart, and four inches between the plants. By fall 

 they will be fine, strong plants, and can be planted out the 

 next spring in permanent rows. 



Root sets are made by dividing the roots of the older 

 plants so that each piece shall have a bud or eye. The most 

 vigorous plants, producing the largest leaves and thickest 

 leaf-stems, should be selected for this purpose. 



Planting. Before planting either in field or garden the 

 soil should be heavily manured and deeply turned in the 

 fall so as to get the full benefit of the winter rains. Trans- 

 planting of the old varieties should be done when the 

 plant is dormant, the soil in good working condition and 

 warmth enough for growth anticipated. The date will, 

 of course, vary in different localities, but February will 

 usually be satisfactory for the summer growing varieties. 

 The soil must not be too wet at transplanting or the roots 

 may rot: good warmth and moisture are favorable. The 

 introduction of winter growing varieties has modified 

 transplanting practice. They are practically evergreen 

 and active except for a short dormancy in the late sum- 

 mer, and, though capable of transplanting by cutting back 

 the leaves all through the rainy season, are usually moved 

 the best advantage from April to June, the latter period 

 being available on irrigated land. 



There are different ways of planting out, each with its 

 own advocates. Boots set four feet apart each way give 

 good opportunity for cultivation both ways : but some 



