636 



THE VEGETABLE GARDEN 



roots. Some force Rhubarb in fruit- 

 houses ; the roots are packed closely 

 together on the floors, a little leaf- 

 mould or other soil is cast over 

 them, and they are afterwards 

 covered with mats, which remain 

 on them until the stalks are fit to 

 gather. Rhubarb forced in this way 

 is not so good in colour as that pro- 

 duced in darker places, and which 

 we see in the markets early in the 

 season ; but it is greatly superior to 

 it in flavour. 



Whole fields in Surrey are de- 

 voted to Rhubarb culture, but the 

 bulk of it from London market- 

 gardens is grown under fruit-trees — 

 positions in which it grows well. 

 In spring, when the produce is most 

 wanted, the trees are leafless, and 

 therefore they do not shade it much, 

 but afford slight protection, and the 



produce comes naturally fit for use 

 about a week sooner than from the 

 open field. In making permanent 

 plantations, divisions of the old 

 stools are used, and they are planted 

 in rows 2^ or 3 ft. apart, and from 

 2 to 2 J ft. asunder in the rows. 

 No leaves are cut away from them 

 the first year, but the space between 

 the lines is planted with Lettuces 

 or Coleworts. During the second 

 season many stalks are not cut, 

 but in the third year a fair crop is 

 gathered. As soon as time can be 

 spared in winter, and before the 

 leaves begin to grow, the ground 

 between the rows is dug over 

 roughly, and a large forkful of 

 rank litter placed over each crown. 

 Under the litter the stalks come up 

 clean, tender, and crisp — very much 

 more so than if none were used. 



Uses. — The fleshy stalks are used for making tarts, pies, and 

 preserves, especially in England and America. 



The following are the principal varieties which are considered 

 to be derived from Rheum hybridmn : 



Early Red Tobolsk Rhubarb. — A very early spring variety, 

 and the best for forcing. Leaves rather small, heart-shaped, with 

 short, blunt point, broadly waved at the edges, very glossy, and 

 clear green. Stalks short in length, about tw^o-thirds of the blade, 

 smooth, and all red. Flowers abundantly, the flower-stalks green, 

 thin, with erect branches. 



Hybrid Florentin. — A cross between Rheum officinale and 

 Rheum Colinianuvi^ remarkable for the great size of its leaves, 

 often 3 ft. in length, as also its floral stalks, usually from 6 to 9 ft. 

 high, and covered during summer with innumerable dark red 

 flowers. Recommendable for its hardiness and the thickness of 

 its leaf-stalks, which are round and without grooves, tinged red 

 at the base, and blotched red for the rest. Not only a valuable 

 vegetable, but also a highly ornamental plant. 



Hav^ke's Champagne. — This has now become the favourite 

 sort in the London market-gardens. Comes early into use. Stalks 

 of a deep crimson colour, large, and of fine quality ; leaves deep 

 green, slightly pubescent, the younger ones having an almost heavy 

 appearance. 



Mitchell's Royal Albert {Early Red).— A very early variety, 

 with thick long stalks of excellent flavour, equal in length (when 



