CHAPTER VII. 



CULTURE. 



Soil. — As the cultivation is the same for all methods 

 of growing, no distinctions will be made. The ideal 

 home or soil for rhnbarb is a heavy sandy or clay loam, 

 naturally cool and moist, yet having good drainage. 

 As all do not possess these natural advantages it remains 

 for each one to "make circumstances" and so prepare 

 the soil whatever kind it may be that the highest pos- 

 sible results may be realized. 



Preparation. — Heavy soils should be worked deeply, 

 subsoiling in clay if possible. Light sandy or gravelly 

 soil, less deeply, ■ leaving the foundation more firm to 

 better hold the moisture. In any case, fertilize without 

 stint. Rhubarb is a gross feeder and there is little 

 danger of over feeding. The lighter soils at least, will 

 be much benefited b}" liberal applications of swamp 

 muck, lime and ashes either leached or unleached, all 

 tending to hold or bind the soil together, thus minimiz- 

 ing the tendency to burn or dry out. It will be useless 

 to hope for, or expect success in its highest sense at 

 least, on ground only moderately fertilized or half tilled. 



Propagation. — To those engaging in the work, either 

 for the out door growing of the Summer crop or for 

 Winter forcing, the effort should be to get a stock of 

 thrifty, vigorous roots in the shortest possible time. 

 This result will be gained by propagation provided a 

 stock of old roots are at hand from which to propagate. 



The work should be done with a sharp spade or long 

 heavy l)laded knife. The clumps owing to size, are 

 divided into two, three or more sections, taking care 



