94 THE NEW RHUBARB CULTURE. 



the ground stirred and free from weeds, and in the fall 

 apply a liberal quantity of stable manure placed directly 

 on top of each plant. The second year in the spring 

 the ground is plowed between the rows and the manure 

 on top of the rows forked under. 



"Xo crojDping should be allo^ved the second year after 

 planting, but the ground kept well cultivated and free 

 from weeds. 



^'In the fall a heavy dressing of manure should be 

 spread all over the planting and this plowed up towards 

 the rows. The third year from planting an early forking 

 up of the soil about the plants will help forward them, 

 and one or two strippings for market may be made. The 

 plantation is then made and is good for from six to ten 

 years according to care and cultivation. It would be 

 fair to estimate the average annual value of the crop 

 at $200 per acre. 



"The preparation for market is simply to remove the 

 leaf down to about two inches of the stalk, and pack in 

 boxes or tie in bundles of 20 to 30 pounds. Weighing 

 should be done at time of loading and tags attached or 

 the weight numbered on boxes, preparing in this way for 

 instant delivery." 



Chat on Rhuharh. — On the Squire estate near Boston 

 is a one-acre patch of rhubarb which produced large 

 and paying crops for many years. "How large a crop 

 do 3^ou get?'' was tbe question asked of Foreman Con- 

 nell. 



"From eight to 10 tons, so far this year, from this 

 field of one acre," was the reply, "and we shall keep on 

 picking for a month longer. We picked three rows this 

 morning and sent in 4,600 pounds. We go over about 

 one-third of the patch every other day, so that the whole 

 field is o'one over about once a week." 



