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XXX. On a method of Forcing Garden Rhubarb. By Mr. 

 Daniel Judd, F. H. S. Gardener to Charles Camp- 

 bell, Esq. of Edmonton. 



Read May 5, 1818. 



The sort of Rhubarb which is usually grown for culinary 

 purposes is the Rheum Rhaponticum, but having found the 

 Rheum Hybridum to possess mucli greater excellence, I have 

 entirely expelled the former from the garden under my 

 charge, and only cultivate the latter. 



When about to plant it, I first trench the ground two 

 spades deep, giving it a good dressing of rotten dung at the 

 same time, and with a trowel or dibber, put in the plants 

 three feet apart. One row of it is sufficient for my purposes ; 

 but if so great a quantity of the article is required as to make 

 more rows necessary, they must be at considerable distances 

 from each other, for I have frequently had the leaves of my 

 plants extend upwards of five feet on each side. I have seen 

 it planted as close as the Rheum Rhaponticum usually is, and 

 then it has failed to produce so largely as when the plants 

 are at greater distances. 



My first attempt to force this Rhubarb was made by 

 covering the crowns with the common garden pots, called 

 twelves, having their holes stopped. Under these it came 

 very fine and quickly, but was much broken by the sides 

 and top of the pots. After it was all well up, the dung and 

 pots were entirely taken off, and large hand-glasses were 



