VEGETABLES RHl'BARH. 281 



rays, so as to forward the crop. It greatly aids the for- 

 warding if the sashes are covered up at night by straw 

 mats or shutters. Rhubarb so forced matures about one 

 month before it is marketable from the open ground, 

 and averages about $10 for each three by six foot sash. 

 It must be borne in mind, however, that forcing com- 



Fi<y. 87. ST. MARTIN'S RHUBARB. 



' 



pletely destroys the roots, and for that reason it is only 

 practiced by those who have a surplus that they would 

 otherwise throw away. 



The principal varieties in cultivation are : 



St, Martin's* (See figure 87. ) A new London variety, 

 which is by far the best, being of rich spicy flavor, 

 enormously productive, and of the largest size of stalk. 



The other two well-known kinds are "Linnaeus" for 

 early, and "Victoria" for late crops. 



