116 COOL SEASON VEGETABLES 



centage of oxalic acid and other acids in the sap gives it certain 

 properties which other vegetables do not have. The name pie- 

 plant is given to the crop because of its special use in making pies, 

 as well as in making sauce. 



Rhubarb prefers a rich black loam, and is much benefited by 

 the addition of quantities of barnyard manure. The crop does 

 best when not disturbed for a number of years. The stalks die to 

 the ground each fall, and new leaves grow in early spring. 



The crop is seldom grown from seed because of the long time 

 required for the young plants to become large enough for table 

 use. It is therefore usually propagated by division of roots, and 

 each part planted must bear a bud formed at the crown or near the 

 surface of the ground. Division is made either in late fall or early 

 spring. The crop is usually planted at one side of the garden 

 where plowing for other crops will not disturb it. The crowns 

 should be planted a few inches below the general level of the soil 

 and a mulch of manure may be placed above them. Extra manur- 

 ing is usually given the plants each fall, and the new spring growth 

 comes through this with much more vigor and increased size. 



As the leaves are pulled each spring, care should be exercised to 

 not destroy the central crown bud in the center of each whorl of 

 leaves. Pulling the outer leaves may continue for several weeks. 

 After that the plants are allowed to renew their vigor by retaining 

 their leaves the remainder of the season. Unless seeds are desired 

 for propagation the flower stalks sent up by any of the plants are 

 cut off before they exhaust the strength of the plants. 



Starvation of the plant is indicated whenever the leaf stalks 

 become puny in size. Sometimes a similar result is noticed when 

 the roots become crowded. In this case a division of the roots is 

 necessary. Some of the crowded roots should be dug out and 

 moved to another place. Additional manure may be added with 

 favorable results. 



Asparagus. — This is another crop which should be planted at 

 one side of the garden, as it is a perennial and should not be dis- 

 turbed for many years. The roots may be divided or the crop may 

 be started from seeds sown in small beds where the plants may be 

 given close attention for one or two years. 



A good method of starting a permanent bed is to dig a ditch 

 either with a shovel or by plowing out furrows to a depth of four- 

 teen or sixteen inches. Fill the trench with rich black soil con- 

 taining an abundance of manure well mixed with it. The asparagus 



