30 THE NEW RHUBARB CULTURE. 



but unless carefallv doue will result in much waste of 

 stalks already fit for the market, and damage to the 

 young and tender shoots as well. The clumps themselves 

 are liable also to injury from careless pulling or Jerking. 

 The stalks are exceedingly tender and brittle, and the 

 attempt to pull them off will result in breaking them 

 off at half length, or just above the- ground, which spoils 

 the looks of, and shortens the stalks ])y whatever length 

 remains on the clumps or crowns. 



With the right hand carefully grasp the stalk well 

 down to the ground, allowing the index finger to lie 

 flat against the inner side of the stalk. Push the finger 

 downward between the stalk and clump to where they 

 unite, then pry and pull in the same motion, and the 

 stalk will come off two or three inches below the surface 

 of the ground. 



Tying Up. — The illustration ^'Preparing for Mar- 

 ket,'^ shows the work in operation, which may be done 

 by the children after a little showing. The work here 

 shown is with the out door grown ; w^hen after the bundle 

 is tied the leaves are nearly all removed with the knife. 

 The method for the dark forced is the same except, what 

 little leaf there is, should be left on, with "its beautiful 

 lemon color adding much to the appearance of the bunch. 

 Gather up the stalks and remove to a convenient place 

 for the work. Eemove the hulls as shown in illustration, 

 and if intended for local trade wash off the adhering 

 soil or filth. If for shipping do not wash, as the water 

 remaining on the stalk will be injurious; but use a 

 brush or small broom instead. In bunching, average up 

 the stalks as much as possible putting large and small 

 together. The stalks are tied around the butts with 

 ordinary bunching twine, three in a bunch, or sometimes 

 four, if too small. Twelve bunches are put into a bundle 



