20 THE NEW RHUBARB CULTURE. 



crevices between the prongs of the roots and spaces 

 between clumps filled in. If the cellar bottom is of loose 

 earth, that -may be used for the purpose, but if cement or 

 other hard floors are used, then the soil will have to be 

 carried in. 



With the setting completed, the labor is practically 

 ^ver, and very little care is necessary to mature the 

 crop. 



Handling the Roots. — A very pleasing feature of the 

 work is in the fact that with the freezing part well over, 

 the crop may be matured almost at will. The forcing 

 may begin at once or the roots may be held in a dormant 

 state for weeks, which matter will of course be governed 

 entirely by the temperature. If, as previously men- 

 tioned, two crops are grown in the same cellar, the forc- 

 ing should begin as early as possible. The roots for the 

 second crop may be left in the ground until required for 

 use. However, in latitudes where long continued and 

 severe freezing. is the rule, the safe plan is to dig all the 

 roots at one time, piling those required for the second 

 crop in a shed, or otherwise slightly protecting them. 

 In localities less rigorous, where the open state of the 

 ground would most likely admit of digging in mid- 

 winter the roots for second crop may be left in the field 

 until wanted. 



Whether one, or two crops are grown, one fact should 

 l)e borne in mind if one desires to utilize the forced roots 

 for propagating, the forcing process is very exhausting to 

 the roots and should be discontinued as soon as lack of 

 vigor in the growth of the stalks is noticeable ; the 

 growth can be stopped only by removal from the cellar or 

 lowering the temperature to say 30 or 35 degrees. 

 Rhubarb is of the get-there nature, and will grow 

 itself to death if allowed, especially in the cellar; as a 



