ON WINTER RHUBARB 



Unfortunately the Giant Winter Rhubarb is 

 not hardy enough to grow except in regions where 

 the eucalyptus, the orange, and the fig can be 

 grown out of doors. I am working with the plant 

 in the expectation of producing hardier varieties, 

 but for the present it must be confined to warm 

 climates, unless it is grown in the greenhouse. It 

 is reported in the East that the new Winter Rhu- 

 barb does not respond well to the forcing methods 

 of the greenhouse, so I do not recommend it for 

 that purpose, although I see no reason why it 

 should not grow under greenhouse conditions, as 

 a cool greenhouse may practically duplicate the 

 conditions of California where the plant is at its 

 best. 



t will not stand soaking with water for any 

 length of time, but in our California soil there is 

 absolutely no loss from any cause, the Giant New 

 Rhubarb being a much surer producer than any 

 other variety of the tribe. 



FORCING THE RHUBARB 



It is well-known that the ordinary rhubarb may 

 be forced in the greenhouse, and made to produce 

 out of season by first freezing the roots. Curiously 

 enough, after this treatment, the root develops its 

 stalk, granted the right conditions of soil, almost 

 equally well in the dark. 



Mention is made of this possibility of forcing 



[215] 



