RHUBARB. 



113 



trouble, and others have not the material at command ; to 

 such, we say. cover the roots with six or eight inches of any 

 dry material, which will forward them two weeks before those 

 that are uncovered. Others may have the convenience of a 

 green-house under the stage, or some other warm building — 

 even a warm closet, or a furnace in the cellar. In such situa- 

 tions the plants can be forwarded by planting them in November 

 into large pots or boxes, with good earth, and placing them at 

 any required time into any of these situations, giving water 

 freely when they begin to grow. A crop will be obtained in a 

 space of time varying according to the heat that is at command. 

 After the plants have done producing stalks for culinary use, 

 they may be turned out into a half shady, rich piece of ground, 

 in May, when, after a season's growth, they can again be used 

 for the same purpose. Hotbeds, frames or pits, will also do 

 for forcing this article ; but in such a case, the glass must be 

 darkened to cause them to grow and blanch. The atmosphere 

 must also be freely saturated with water, to make the stalks 

 swell to their full height and size. There are two advantages 

 in blanching Rhubarb : first, the desirable qualities of appear- 

 ance and flavor; and secondly, a saving in the quantity of sweet- 

 ening material to render them agreeable to the taste. The 

 stalks, when blanched, are more tender than when grown under 

 the influence of strong light and in open situations. 



Culture in cold or hot latitudes. — There is no obstacle 

 to the cultivation of this interesting plant. It will stand un- 

 protected as far north as the St. Lawrence, and yield annually 

 a large crop. North of that limit all that is necessary for its 

 preservation is to throw over it, during Winter, a quantity of 

 dry leaves, to keep off intense frost, and, as Spring opens, to 

 clear away the litter and cultivate the ground, as previously 

 directed. If there is three months of good sun, it is all the 

 plant requires to mature it. Wherever Oats will grow, the Rhu- 

 barb will thrive : only give it depth of soil for its roots, and 



