CHAPTER I. 



VARIOUS FORCING METHODS. 



Some growers near Boston and New York have rhu- 

 barb beds especially for forcing under glass without 

 transplanting. They are set closer than for field cul- 

 ture say two feet or 2 x 3 feet a])art, the rows being 

 short and numerous thus giving the bed of rliubarb the 

 shape of an ordinary rectangular greenhouse, averaging 

 say 20 x 75 feet. At the side of this l)ed a skeleton frame 

 is erected, as for the ordinary sash house. Then when 

 desired to force the crop, say any time from I)eceml)er 

 to Fel)ruary, the space is covered with liotbed sashes, 

 the sides beiug boarded up and banked around with 

 manure. 



Sometimes steam pipes are run into the rhubarb 

 house, and the house then becomes like a greenhouse in 

 conditions, forcing the crop rapidly. The heat of the 

 sun alone and that of the manure piled arouud the out- 

 side hastens the crop greatly. The snow quickly melts 

 away. Sometimes tlic sides of the house are covered with 

 building paper. As. soon as the weather becomes warm 

 the sasli aud frame are removed and the plants given 

 ordinary field culture. By this plan the crop is forced 

 witliont disturbing or injuring the plants wliich are 

 already in place for the following season, and summer 

 culture is made very easy and simple. When sashes are 

 not wanted for the rhubarb house, they can be used on 

 hotbeds. Much of the very early native crop around large 

 eastern cities comes from cold frames and forcing houses 

 built according to the plan just described. 



