ON WINTER RHUBARB 



of these pieces will make a big plant in the course 

 of the year, and the old plant will produce larger 

 stalks, though in somewhat reduced number, as 

 the result of this treatment. 



In this way a plantation of the Giant Winter 

 Rhubarb may be extended indefinitely without 

 injury to the old crop. 



Of course, the new plants grown thus from 

 pieces of root or from root bulbs will reproduce 

 absolutely the qualities of the original plant. 



If an attempt is made to extend the plantation 

 by sowing seed, a good deal of variation must be 

 expected, as this plant, like so many other culti- 

 vated ones, is not fixed for reproduction from seed. 

 In the matter of winter bearing, however, all the 

 seedlings will reproduce the qualities of the par- 

 ents. The seedlings may vary in size, quality, form 

 of leaves, and somewhat as to color of stalks and 

 various minor points; but never in the matte-r of 

 winter bearing. 



They will reach their time of fullest productiv- 

 ity in midwinter, several weeks before the ordi- 

 nary rhubarb begins to be productive. 



The plants fruit the first year from cuttings or 

 when raised from seed, and two generations a year 

 from seed to seed can be raised by forcing in the 

 California climate; but of course such forcing is 

 not recommended. 



[213] 



