110 THE NEW RHUBARB CUr/IURE. 



ProinisiiKj iieiv Hei'tUiiigs. — Sccdliiigs ol'tcii vary con- 

 siderably from the parent stock, and many growers 

 who liave raised their stock from seed have obtained 

 variations which are worthy careful testing at the ex- 

 2:)eriment stations. For instance, Prof. Maynard of 

 the Massachusetts station is trying a new seedling of 

 the Linna?us, which is of a peculiarly bright pink or 

 red, and which would present a very attractive appear- 

 ance in the early market. Manitoba experiment station 

 tried a number of seedlings of the Victoria, and dis- 

 covered one that was ready for use -^May 26, or several 

 days earlier than any of 20 standard kinds tested. It was 

 also a hea\y cropper, producing 20 pounds two ounces 

 per plant. The flavor was good and the stalk tender. 

 These instances show the great possibilities in the im- 

 provement of the plant. The originator of a mammoth, 

 high colored variety which should have the earliness and 

 fine quality of the Linneeus, would no doubt find a 

 profitable sale for- his discovery. 



Work of tlie Experiment Stations. — Comparatively 

 little has been done with the rhubarb crop at the ex- 

 periment stations. Most stations have rested content 

 after having tested the adaptability of the plant to the 

 soil and climate, and after comparing the dift'erent 

 varieties. Rhode Island has conducted valuable experi- 

 ments in dark forcing, as described elsewhere in this 

 volume, and in bulletin 55 of the station. Professor 

 F. W. Card who carried on these tests, writes : — 



"Tests, the past winter, since the publication of that 

 bulletin, show that in a cool cellar the plants are too 

 slow in coming into growth to give satisfactory results, 

 although the product is excellent, when obtained. Any 

 cellar in which a furnace is kept running during the 

 winter will give good results or the temperature may 



