144 On a Method of Forcing Rhubarb. 



substituted in their stead, thickly covered with mats every 

 night, and in dull weather. This process I found greatly to 

 improve their flavour, and it gave me a regular supply till 

 that in the open air was ready for use. The following year 

 I had large pots made on purpose, without holes, but these 

 broke the shoots almost as much as the first, for this sort of 

 Rhubarb grows so very luxuriantly, that it is impatient of 

 such confinement. 



My success by the above method not being equal to my 

 wishes, I have this season adopted an open frame of wood- 

 work, made by driving stakes into the ground, opposite each 

 other, on each side of the bed, alternately with the plants, 

 leaving a space two feet wide at bottom, from side to side ; 

 the stakes, at three feet high above the ground, are drawn 

 together by cross pieces, so as to be only 15 inches apart at 

 the top. The annexed sketch, with the following details, may 

 serve to explain my plan. 



To the sides and top of the frame-work are fixed stout 

 laths to prevent the dung from falling upon the plants. The 

 frame being thus prepared, the dung is placed at the sides 

 and ends of it, in the manner of a lining, eighteen inches 

 thick ; and the top is covered over with long litter. With 

 this treatment the Rhubarb has come up very regularly, of 



