RHUBARB 201 
temperature ranges from 55 degrees to 60 degrees, stalks 
will be large enough to cut in about 25 to 380 days from 
planting, and the beds will produce for at least four 
weeks. Excessively high temperatures not only cause 
rapid growth, but the stalks will be spindling. 
Harvesting and marketing.—The brittle, tender stalks 
must be handled with extreme care to avoid injury. They 
are easily removed from the crowns by grasping the base of 
the stalk with the hand, and with the index finger of the 
same hand breaking and pulling the stalk from the crown 
without damaging those that may be starting. The 
stalks should be removed as soon as they have attained 
marketable size. If left too long they become soft, 
spongy and unsalable. Washing the stems is not con- 
sidered desirable because they keep in better condition 
Fig. 68.—Rhubarb forced in total darkness. Note small leaf blades. 
for a longer period if no water is used. A cloth or brush 
will remove any soil that may adhere to the stalks. 
The number of stems which should be tied in a bundle 
will depend on their size. If they are large, three or four 
(as shown in Fig. 68) will be sufficient. If small, twice 
that number may be required. 
