Rhubarb Out of Season 



"\^7"HY not have a fresh supply of rhubarb 

 * ' for sauce and pies during the winter by forc- 

 ing the crop in a house cellar? It doesn't matter 

 if your cellar is with a brick, cement or other 

 hard floor. A cover of two or three inches of 

 loose earth will make a good bed for the crop. 

 The roots must be thrifty and strong. Propa- 

 gated roots should be from two to five years old, 

 while those grown from seed need an additional 

 year's growth. Before the ground becomes frozen 

 hard, I dig the roots, with as much soil as possible, 

 and place them in some well-drained spot in the 

 garden and cover with some earth to prevent 

 their drying out. Then I wait until they are 

 frozen. When frozen solid is the best time for 

 setting them, as they are cleaner and may be 

 handled without any injury. As we manage to 

 have two crops during the forcing season,. we use 

 only a part of the dug roots, the other part being 

 kept until needed under a light covering of man- 

 ure or straw as protection against severe weather. 

 I set the roots in rows as closely as possible, 

 allowing for each root a space of about a square 

 foot and some space for a passageway in the centre 

 of the cellar. I fill the spaces and cover the roots 

 two inches deep with loose soil and water them 

 thoroughly. A kettle of water kept on the heat- 

 ing stove or a few occasional waterings with tepid 

 water solves the problem of supplying moisture. 

 Very little attention is required as to ventilation, 

 as a little change of air from time to time is suffi- 

 cient. Daylight should be excluded as much as 

 possible. Liquid cow manure has with me proved 

 a great advantage to the crop. Before and after 

 the season it is advisable to fumigate the cellar 

 with sulphur. After keeping it close for a day, 

 whitewash, adding sulphate of copper or crude 

 carbolic acid, one ounce to the gallon. The Early 

 Strawberry I have found to be a good variety 

 for forcing, as it matures earlier than Victoria 

 (considered best for forcing by many rhubarb 

 growers) and prolongs its season. Of course, the 

 time of watering depends to a great extent upon 

 ithe temperature maintained. By starting the 

 forcing early and by means of a two-burner gaso- 

 lene stove we managed to keep a cellar 25 x 30 

 at a temperature between 35 and 45 degrees to 

 mature two crops in between three or five weeks 

 |from the time of setting. When the stalks are 

 12 to 14 inches high is a good height for picking. 

 As the stalks are tender and brittle, they should 

 be handled while gathering with greatest care. 

 The hulls are removed, the stalks thoroughly 

 jcleaned and tied with the leaves on, three or 

 four in a bunch, uniformly as possible, and 

 (tied around the butts with bunching twine. 

 Twelve bunches are put in a bundle and tied 

 around both butts and tops. For shipping the 

 (bundles are wrapped in paper and boxed. They 

 are shipped by express to avoid freezing. There 

 is a steady market demand for the right product 

 at fair prices during the whole forcing season, 

 from January until the end of April when the 

 I early outdoor crop is coming in. 



Samuel H. Garekol, Maryland. 



Charming In Foliage, | 

 In Flowers, In Fruits 



Few, if any, shrubs are more dainty 



and desirable than the Cotoneasters. 



They are a delight all the season from 



the time the white or pink flowers 



open in early June to the changing 



iage in late fall. And then there are brilliant 



red berries which remain nearly all winter. 



Some varieties are small (only 2 feet high), while 



others grow 10 feet or more. 



"Foundation Plantings" a monograph on the desirable shrubs and trees for large 

 and small grounds, describes and prices the six desirable Cotoneasters. We'll send you 

 a copy if you give us your name and address. 



■ 



HICKS NURSERIES 



::<Uh'!l:l Mill : : IT 1 1 ;! I ! I : i I; h L 1 1 ; I L 1. 1.'! '1 1 1 K'li'H !l !i M I, h liH.'h'.!! Ii'|. 



Box M, West bury, L. I., N. Y. 



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G1LSON GARDEN TOOLS 



When you buy Garden Tools you want the best. Ask your dealer or write to 



J. E. GILSON CO. PORT WASHINGTON, WISCONSIN 



RHODES DOUBLE CUT 



PRUNING SHEAR 



RHODES MFG. C( 



527 S. DIVISION AVE., GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. 



THE only 

 pruner 

 made that cuts 

 from both sides of 

 the limb and does not 

 bruise the bark. Made in 

 all styles and sizes. All 

 shears delivered free 

 to your door. 



Write for 

 circular and 

 prices. 



WANTED: Single Copies of THE GARDEN MAGAZINE for February, 1905, and October, 1906 



Order early for 

 Spring and avoid 

 the shortage. 



Over 800 acres 

 of carefully cul- 

 tivated stock. 



Singer Building 



New York City 



Charming Garden Gift from Oregon 



A few of my choice gladiolus bulbs, in hand-decorated gift box, 

 will delight the recipient who has a garden. Bulbs are packed 

 warmly with great care, a nd if desired will be sent direct with 

 appropriate card. A dozen of one variety is infinitely more 

 effective than a mixture. 

 12 Prince of India — Wonderful combination of ashes of roses, 



slate blue and gray. The aristocrat of the garden $5.00 



12 Blue Jay — Big flowers of iris blue, with darker throat. 



Magnificent $4.00 



12 Rouge Torch — Exquisite creamy petals with crimson 



blotches — refined yet brilliant $1.50 



All three boxes to one or separate addresses $9.50 



Louise Beebe Wilder, the widely-known garden writer, has con- 

 tributed a fascinating article on gladioli for my 1920 catalogue. 

 I specialize on high-class and unusual varieties. Catalogue is 

 sent upon request. 

 W. L. CRISSEY, "Gladiolus Farm" Boring, Oregon 



' ' Home Attractions 



PERGOLAS 



Lattice Fences 



Garden Houses 



For Beautifying Home 

 Grounds 



When writing enclose 10c. 

 and ask for Pergola Catalogue 

 "H-30." 



HARTMANN-SANDERS CO. 



Elston and Webster Aves., Chicago, 111. 



New York City Office, 6 E. 39th Street 



'No library complete without Kipling complete" 



ANDORRA 



Evergreens, Trees and 

 Shrubs of distinction 



There is a fall list ready 



ANDORRA NURSERIES 

 Wm. Warner Harper. Prop. 

 Chestnut Hill. Ph i la., Penna 



193 



