D. M. FERRY & CO'S DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 53 



Rhubarb Stalks. 



fond of it. Sow in May, either broadcast or in drills; if 

 the former, ten pounds, and if the latter, four pounds 

 per acre. 



Rmwbkrb, or Rio 

 Plhnt, 



Fr., Rhuba7-be. Ger., Rhabarber. 

 Rhubarb, familiarly known as Pie Plant, or Wine 

 Plant, is cultivated in gardens for its leaf stalks, which 

 are used for pies and tarts. Immense quantities are now 

 annually sold in all the large markets. No private gar- 

 den should be without a bed of it. 



Culture.— Rhubarb succeeds best in deep, somewhat 

 retentive soil. The richer its condition, and the deeper 

 it is stirred, the better. 

 Sow in drills an inch deep, 

 and thin out the plants to 

 six inches apart. In the 

 fall, trench a piece of 

 ground and manure it well; 

 then transplant the young 

 plants into it three feet 

 apart each way. Cover 

 with leaves or litter the 

 first winter, and give a 

 dressing of coarse manure 

 every fall. The stalks 

 should not be plucked till 

 the third year, and the 

 plant never allowed to 

 exhaust itself by running 

 10 seed. Our seed is saved from selected plants of Lin- 

 naeus, Giant and other improved sorts. Like the seeds 

 of fruit trees, seed cannot be relied upon to reproduce 

 the same variety. 



rice, aaz:ild. 



Zizania aquatica. 

 An annual which sows itself in the fall, about the middle 

 of September, lies dormant all winter, in spring com- 

 mences to sprout as soon as the water gets warm, reach- 

 ing the surface during the first half of June. It grows 

 very rapidly, in one to four feet of water, ripens late in 

 August or early in September. It should be planted in 

 the fall, before ice forms, broadcast, from a boat, in two 

 or three feet of water, having a mud bottom. It has 

 been successfully planted through the ice in winter and 

 in the spring, but it succeeds best when planted in the 

 fall. As an attraction for wild fowl, it cannot be equaled. 

 In large ponds and lakes it purifies the water, affords a 

 refuge for the small fry from the large fish, as well as 

 furnishing the small fry plenty of food from the ani- 

 malculse upon its stalks; for planting in fish ponds it is 

 especially desirable. It also does well along the shores 

 of marshes, and makes a good hay. In the South two 

 crops can be cut, and all cattle are very fond of it. 



Sklsify Vecetkble 

 Oyster. 



Fr., Sahifis. Ger., Hafer-wurzel. 



The long, white, tapering root of Salsify resembles a 

 small parsnip, and when cooked is a good substitute for 

 oysters, having a very similar flavor. 



Culture. — It succeeds best in a light, well enriched 

 soil, which should be stirred to the depth of twelve or 

 fourteen inches. If it is necessary to use manure, it 

 should be very fine and well rotted, for if it is fresh and 

 coarse the roots will grow irregular and ill shaped. Sow 

 early and quite deep, and give the general culture 



recommended for the parsnip. The roots are perfectly 

 hardy, and may remain out all winter, but should be 

 dug early in the spring, as they 

 deteriorate rapidly after growth 

 commences. Store a quantity for 

 winter use in sand. 



SPINKGE, 



Fr., Epinard. Ger., Spinat. 

 The Spinage is very hardy, ex- 

 tremely wholesome and palatable, 



Savoy Leaved. 



and makes a delicious dish of 

 greens, retaining its bright green 

 color after cooking. 



Culture. — Should be planted in 

 very rich ground, the richer the 

 better. Sow in drills one foot apart, Salsify. 

 and commence thinning gut the plants when the leaves 

 are an inch wide, and all should be cut before hot 

 weather, or it wili be tough and stringy. For early 

 spring use, the seed should be sown early in autumn. 

 In the Northern States, the plants will require a slight 

 protection of leaves or straw, but in the Southern States, 

 no protection is necessary, and they will continue their 

 growth most of the winter. 



Savoy Leaved. — The earliest variety. Plant of up- 



Round Summer. 



right growth with fine leaves, which are savoyed like 

 those of a cabbage. It comes quickly to a suitable size 

 for use, but soon runs up to seed. 



Round Summer. — This variety is generally pre- 

 ferred for early spring sowing, and is the most popular 

 with our market gardeners; the leaves are large, thick, 

 and fleshy, not quite so hardy as the Prickly, but stands 

 the winter very well. 



mproveo Thick Leaved 

 Improved Thick Leaved. — An improvement on 

 the preceding, with larger and thicker leaves, and of 

 more substance. Particularly recommended for market 

 garden use. 



