Rhubarb. 289 



Planting. The work of setting out the plants in their per- 

 manent positions should be done whilst growth is dormant ; in 

 light ground it may be done after the leaves have died down in 

 late autumn, but in heavy or moist ground it is best deferred 

 to the end of winter or early in spring. The distance apart 

 at which the plants are set depends upon the sorts grown, 

 the more vigorous late varieties needing, as a rule, much more 

 space than the smaller early varieties. A mistake frequently 

 made is in planting too thickly, under the impression that 

 this gives a greater yield, but under crowded conditions the 

 individual plants do not" yield so many or such fine stalks as 

 when they have more room, nor does the plantation continue 

 so long in profit. The aim should be to set the plants at such a 

 distance apart as will yield the greatest amount of good quality 

 produce, and this may be best attained by planting the smaller 

 varieties in rows 3ft. apart by 2ft. Gin. apart in the row, and 

 the stronger growers 4ft. between the rows and 3ft. between 

 the plants. Mark out the position of the lines and then throw 

 out a furrow with spade or plough, according to the extent of 

 the area to be planted. The depth of the furrow is regulated 

 by the size of the roots, the topmost crown of which should be 

 covered with about 2in. of soil. After planting press the soil 

 firmly round the roots. A warm, well-drained position, pro- 

 tected from cold winds and facing south should, when possible, 

 be given to the early varieties, as gatherings may be made a 

 week or more earlier from such a position than from a damp, 

 exposed field, and early gatherings usually mean better prices. 

 Later varieties should be given the more open positions and 

 heavier soil. Rhubarb needs an abundance of moisture all 

 through the growing season, and although a low wet situation 

 holding stagnant water is unsuitable, a very dry soil is prac- 

 tically useless for this culture. 



Routine of Cultivation. The object sought is to secure the 

 largest possible growth, and to this end tillage and feeding 

 must be thorough. The larger the leaves, the stronger will be 

 the crowns for the following season. As soon as planting is 

 finished the surface of the soil should be hoed to prevent caking, 

 and hoeing to check the growth of weeds and to keep the 



surface soil loose should be persisted in during the summer. 



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