508 THE GARDENER’ ASSISTANT. 
much deteriorated by wet. For these reasons, | Champagne.—A superior early variety, producing good- 
forcing am houses is greatly to be preferred; not sized straight stalks of a bright-crimson colour; flavour 
7) 
: : distinct. 
only is the heat more at command, but the quality Early Scarlet.—Stalks a deep-red colour; suitable for 
of the produce is not influenced by the state of | market-gardeners. 
the weather. Rhubarb may be forced in any Elford.—Well adapted for forcing. Stalks slender, with 
a thin, bright-scarlet skin; red 
throughout when cooked, if not 
peeled, which is not necessary. 
Even when grown in the dark 
the stalks still preserve the crim- 
son tinge. 
Guava.—A variety of excellent 
quality, raised by Dr. Maclean. 
Linneus.—A very good early 
sort of fine quality. First-rate 
for main crop; very productive. 
Mitchell’s Royal Albert.—V ery 
early; stalks large, red, and of 
excellent flavour. | 
The Sutton.—Resembles Vic- 
toria in growth, but comes earlier 
Fig. 1274.—Section of Rhubarb Forcing-pot with Manure. into use, and is practically a non- 
seeding variety—a very impor- 
structure where a temperature of from 55° to 65° | tant point. The most striking merit, however, is its 
is maintained; a Mushroom-house, the floor of | beautiful colour when young—a rich bright-red; and this 
; We ieee pe nee characteristic remains after cooking, even when the roots 
a vinery or Peach-house, or a pit, will be very 
‘ ke - : have been forced in absolute darkness. The stalks are 
suitable. Where there is not accommodation of | jaroe and tender. 
this description, the roots may be placed on dung | —_obolsk.—Early, and good for forcing. 
beds in a shed, or even in a warm cellar. The Victoria.—A bout a fortnight later than Linneus; stalks 
red-stalked varieties are greatly improved in | ™¢h-crimson, long and thick, of goed: qualia, 
appearance and quality when forced in the dark. Rocambole (Alliwm Scorodoprasum).—A per- 
Roots from two to five years old are the best for | ennial, native of South Europe. Its bulbs are 
forcing, but in default of such, strong roots of | milder than those of Garlic, and are used for 
one year’s growth may be employed. The reason | similar purposes. The bulb consists of several 
of the preference being given to the former is that | cloves; but the stem, which rises to the height 
they contain a greater amount of organizable | of about 2 feet, also produces a cluster of bulbils. 
matter for the formation of leaves and stalks. | The cloves should be planted 2 inches deep, in 
They may be taken up carefully any time after | rows 8 inches apart, and 6 inches asunder in the 
the decay of the leaves, and placed close together | row, in well-dug ground, in February or March, 
in the spot where they are to be forced. Some | or after the leaves have died down in autumn. 
light soil should then be worked in among them, | All the culture necessary is to keep the ground 
and a thin layer of soil spread over the whole, | clean. When the leaves begin to decay, the 
in order to retain a sufficient amount of moisture | bulbs should be taken up, dried in the sun, and 
for vegetation. Afterwards, if the soil become | stored for use. Some may also be drawn for 
too dry, a gentle watering may be given. No use before they are full grown. 
other care will be required. Sometimes the 
roots are taken up in autumn, potted, or more| Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis).—An ever- 
frequently packed close together in boxes, and | green undershrub, native of South Europe. 
kept in a shady situation till required for fore- | Though not employed in cookery, this plant is 
ing, when they are placed in a Mushroom-house | grown in every kitchen-garden. A decoction 
or vinery. In this way, by bringing ina quantity | of the foliage is employed to relieve headaches, 
of roots every three weeks, a constant succession | and is very efficacious in promoting the growth 
is secured with little trouble. of the hair and in curing baldness. It is like- 
Forcing may be commenced in the end of | wise used in the manufacture of Hungary water 
November, and continued till a supply is pro- | and Eau-de-Cologne. The sprigs are sometimes 
duced in the open ground. The older clumps | used as a garnish and for seasoning. 
are usually destroyed after they have been| Rosemary requires a light dry soil and a warm 
forced, but the younger ones may be replanted | sheltered situation. It is propagated by cuttings 
and forced again two years later. or rooted slips taken off in April or May, or by 
