RHUBARB. 



263 



where they are finally to remain. When a plantation is to 

 be made, the ground, which should be light and rather 

 sandy, but well manured, should be trenched three spits, or 

 as deep as the sub-soil will admit, adding a manuring of 

 well rotted hot-bed dung. Then plant in rows, three feet 

 wide by two feet, in the rows for the R. rhaponticum and joaZ- 

 matum^ and five feet by three feet in the rows for the 

 R. hybridum. No other culture is required than keeping 

 the ground free of weeds, occasionally stirring it, during 

 summer, wath a three-pronged fork, and adding a dressing 

 of well rotted manure every autumn or spring, stirring the 

 ground as deep as possible. Some never allow the flower- 

 stalks to produce flowers ; and others cut them over as 

 soon as they have done flowering, to prevent the plants 

 from being exhausted by the production of seeds. The 

 former seems the preferable method, as the flower-stalks of 

 plants cannot, like the leaves, be considered as preparing 

 a reserve of nourishment for the roots. 



Blanching, — The advantages of blanching the stalks of 

 rhubarb, for culinary purposes, have been pointed out by 

 T, Hare, Esq. — Hort. Trans, vol. ii, ' These are two-fold, 

 namely, the desirable qualities of improved appearance and 

 flavour, and a saving in the quantity of sugar necessary to 

 render it agreeable to the palate, since the leaf-stalks, when 

 blanched, are infinitely less harsh than those grown under 

 the full influence of light, in an open situation.' It may 

 either be blanched by earthing up the roots early in spring, 

 or earthen pots may be used, as in blanching sea-kale. 



Taking the stalks, — " Remove a little earth, and, bending 

 down the leaf you would remove, slip it off* from the 

 crown without breaking, or using the knife. The stalks 

 are fit to use, when the leaf is half expanded ; but a larger 

 produce is obtained by letting them remain till in full ex* 

 pansion, as is practised by the market-gardeners. The 

 stalks are tied in bundles of a dozen and upwards, and thus 

 exposed for sale. 



To save seed. — " Leave one or two of the strongest 

 flower-stalks to perfect their seeds, which they will do in 

 July and August. 



Use. — The two first species are cultivated entirely, and 

 the third, in gardens, principally, for the petioles of the root- 

 leaves, which are peeled, cut down, and formed into tarts 

 and pies in the manner of apples and gooseberries. The 

 R. hybridum aff"ords the most abundant and succulent supply 

 for this purpose." — Loudon. 



