RHUBARB ii j 



Although an accommodating plant, Rhubarb requires for profit- 

 able production a rich deep soil, well worked, and heavily manured 

 with rotten manure, and a situation remote from trees, but in some 

 degree sheltered. It will be observed that the markets are supplied 

 from sheltered alluvial soils, that have been much cultivated, and kept 

 in high condition by abundant manuring. On the other hand, the 

 coarser kinds will make a free and early growth on a damp clay, if 

 sheltered from the east winds that so often damage early spring 

 vegetation. The shortest way to establish a plantation is to purchase 

 selected roots of first-class named varieties, and plant them in one 

 long row, three to four feet apart, or in a bed or compartment four 

 feet apart each way. A few of the more delicate kinds will do very 

 well at two and a half feet each way, but for large-growing sorts this 

 would be injuriously close. Plant with the top bud two inches deep, 

 tread in moderately firm, then lightly prick the ground over, and so 

 leave it. Rhubarb may be planted at any time in spring or autumn, 

 but the spring is better of the two. In any case where a special 

 cultivation is determined on, it will be found that bone manure has a 

 wonderful effect on the growth of Rhubarb. 



It is not sufficient to say that the plantation must be kept free 

 from weeds, for we are bound to advise that the plant should be 

 allowed to make one whole season's growth before a single stalk is 

 pulled. And we must again advise that the pulling in the second 

 season, and every season thereafter, to the very end of the chapter, 

 whenever that may be, should be moderate and careful, for every leaf 

 removed weakens the plant, and it must be allowed to recover and 

 regain its strength to prepare for the work of the next season. Some 

 people know not when to leave off pulling at Rhubarb, but they have 

 to leave off when there is none to pull ; and it is a pity this should 

 happen, because after the delicate and elegant supplies of early spring 

 are past, Rhubarb is but a poor thing, and to ruin a plantation to 

 get stalks for wine is a great folly. For wine-making a special planta- 

 tion should be made, from which not one stick should be taken for 

 table use. The summer stalks will then be of a suitable character. 



Rhubarb is easily forced in any place where there is a moderate 

 warmth, and it is only needful to pack the roots in boxes with moss or 

 any light soil, or even rough, litter for the roots will push into any 

 moist material and find sufficient food. If fully exposed to the light, 

 forced Rhubarb has a full colour ; but the quality is better, and the 

 colour quite sufficient, if it is forced in the dark ; hence when put 

 under the stage in a greenhouse, or any other place where there is a 



