116 



THE NEW RHUBARB CULTURE. 



The after care is very simple. After the picking 

 season run a cultivator often enough to keep the weeds 

 down. Three or four times will usually be enough. The 

 great point is to apply plenty of manure. Spread on 10 

 or 12 cords to the acre just before the last cultivating, 

 and let the cultivator work it into the soil. The follow- 

 ing spring cultivate again. If any artificial fertilizer is 

 wanted the only thing worth while is nitrate of soda. 



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Packing Shed for Rhubarb, 



Growers not prepared to make the land as rich as pos- 

 sible, had better let rhul)arb alone. In the spring, culti- 

 vate once before picking time. 



Gathering the crop is a fine art. Pick only the stalks 

 that have nearly attained their growth. These are most- 

 ly on the outside of the liill and can be selected by the 

 smootlmess and dull color of the leaf, and the mature 

 appearance of tlie stalk. The growing stalks look red 



