PERENNIAL VEGETABLE PROJECTS 279 



Project Outline 



1. Why grow rhubarb? 



2. Selecting location. 



3. Selecting variety. 



4. Preparing soil. 



5. Planting. 



6. Cultivating. 



7. Maintaining fertility. 



8. Foircing. 



9. Harvesting and marketing. 



1. Why grow rhubarb ? — Rhubarb is grown in practically all 

 home gardens. It is also produced throughout the country for 

 commercial purposes. The crop is easily grown and pays good 

 profits wherever a satisfactory market can be found, but the 

 tendency is to overstock most of the markets, so that very careful 

 consideration should be given the matter before engaging in 

 rhubarb culture as a business proposition. 



1. Visit your markets and ascertain whether there is a demand for 

 rhubarb before deciding to make its culture a business project. 



2. Selecting location. — W : 269. Rhubarb will thrive in any 

 well-drained soil that is adequately supplied with humus and 

 plant food. The soil requu-ements are about the same as for 

 asparagus (W : 271). 



3. Selecting variety. — Two varieties are grown mainly, Vic- 

 torious and Linnseus (also called " Strawberry "). The former is 

 more vigorous, but Linnseus produces beautiful pink stalks that 

 are preferred by most markets. 



1. What variety will you select ? W-VG : 420. 



2. What is known about the history of the rhubarb ? 



W-VG : 419. 



