112 buist's family kitchen gardener. 



family, though twenty will not be too many. By this method 

 it will be ready for use in the first year after planting, whereas, 

 from seed, it is three years before it is ready for the table. In 

 removing the stalks for use, first scrape away a little of the 

 earth, then bend down the stalk you wish to remove, and slip 

 it off from the crown without breaking or cutting it. The 

 stalks should not be used after the leaves are full grown, as 

 they are then too hard and stringy ; use the stalks only of such 

 leaves as are about half, or nearly fully expanded. Where 

 there is a large supply, it can be made into a preserve of any 

 kind. Both an excellent jam and jelly can be made from 

 either the green or red varieties, though the color of that made 

 from the latter is more beautiful, being a fine dark pink. • 



Artificial Culture. — To force Rhubarb, it is only neces- 

 sary to procure some large pots, boxes, or half-barrels, and 

 invert them over the roots. Then cover the whole entirely, 

 ground and all, with leaves and hot stable-manure. This will 

 cause an agreeable heat to arise ; the plants will grow freely 

 under their warm, dark covering ; the stalks will be finely 

 blanched, very tender, and delicately flavored. This opera- 

 tion should be performed before the ground gets frozen, by 

 placing the boxes, &c., over the plants intended to be forced, 

 and covering the ground with eight or ten inches of leaves or 

 litter. Then, about the middle of January, mix with the leaves 

 as many more, with warm dung, as will entirely cover the arti- 

 cles under which the plants are preserved. If properly man- 

 aged, the stalks will be fit for use in from four to six weeks, 

 and the plants will continue to produce till the roots in the 

 open air take their place. They, too, are greatly benefited by 

 placing a barrel over them as soon as they begin to grow in 

 the Spring ; the stems grow more tender and, much longer by 

 ihis process. There should be a few holes in the barrel, or a 

 part of the bottom taken out to admit a little air. though it is 

 not absolutely essential. Many persons may dislike all this 



