268 THE VEGETABLE CULTIVATOR. 



The Hybrid variety is said to be the most suc- 

 culent ; and perhaps it might be so in some soils ; 

 but the author could never observe any difference 

 between it and the waved-leaved. 



Culture There are two methods by which 



rhubarb is propagated from seed and from offsets 

 or slips : the former is the best and principal ; the 

 latter is only resorted to at times when the stock of 

 plants is short, or more particularly when they are 

 required for forcing, as, by having good strong slips 

 for that purpose, nearly a whole year will be gained. 

 For making a permanent plantation, slips are by no 

 means recommended, as they never root so well as 

 seedlings. 



The soil most suitable for the rhubarb is a light 

 rich loam, of a sandy nature, neither too dry nor 

 too moist ; and where there is a depth of eighteen 

 inches or more in such land, for the roots to run 

 down, so much the better, as the plants will attain 

 a greater size every way. 



In raising the rhubarb from seed, it should be 

 sown about the beginning of April, in a three or 

 four foot bed of light rich soil, the length being 

 according to the quantity of plants required ; sow 

 thinly, and afterwards carefully cover with the same 

 sort of mould, about half an inch deep : should 

 the weather happen at the time to be cold and 

 unfavourable, a slight covering with a mat will be 

 necessary. 



One or two seasons having proved unkindly during 

 the author's practice, he had the seed sown on a 

 slight heat, by which means the plants gained a more 

 considerable growth by far than they would have 



