PRACTICAL GARDENING 



or longer and the plant shows signs of weak- 

 ness, dig up the roots in the fall. Take a 

 sharp knife and divide the roots, pack them in 

 sand or soil and place in a cool cellar or out 

 of doors, covering the box with litter. Re- 

 set in the spring. It is advisable to buy 

 new stocky roots rather than resetting weak 

 ones. 



In the fall cover the plants after the leaves 

 have died down, with two inches of horse 

 manure or some litter. This protects the 

 crown from frost. 



Placing glass, barrels, or boxes about the 

 plant to hasten its growth in early spring is 

 not recommended. These practices have a 

 tendency to weaken the root. 



Rhubarb may be forced by exposing the 

 roots to frost for three or four weeks in the 

 fall, shifting them under the greenhouse 

 bench or to the hotbed about two or three 

 months before the crop is expected. The 

 stalks are poorly flavored and usually spindly. 

 The roots are useless after this forcing. 



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