Method of forcing Rhubarb in Pots 155 



position. These circumstances led me, in the last winter, to 

 dig up the roots of many plants of the common Rhubarb 

 (which I had raised from cuttings in the preceding spring) and 

 to place them in a few large and deep pots, each pot being 

 made to receive as many as it would contain. Some fine 

 sandy loam was then washed in, to fill entirely the interstices 

 between the roots, the tops of which were so placed as to be 

 level with each other, and about an inch below the surface of 

 the mould in the pots, which were covered with other pots of 

 the same size, inverted upon them : being then placed in a 

 vinery ( in a situation where nothing else ' could be made to 

 thrive, on account of want of light), and being copiously sup- 

 plied with water, the plants vegetated rapidly and strongly ; 

 and from each pot I obtained three successive crops, the leaf 

 stalks of the two first being crowded so closely as nearly to 

 touch each other over the whole surface of the pots. As soon 

 as the third crop of leaves was broken off, and a change of 

 roots became necessary, those taken from the pots were planted 

 in the open ground, their tops being covered about an inch 

 deep with mould, and I have reason to believe, from present 

 appearances, that they will live and recover strength, if given 

 a year of rest, to be fit for forcing again. Should they, how- 

 ever, perish, it is of very little consequence ; as year-old roots, 

 raised from cuttings, or even from seeds, sowed in autumn in 

 rich soil, will be found sufficiently strong for use. 



The heat of a hot-bed, a kitchen, or other room, and, on the 

 approach of spring (probably at any period after the middle 

 of January) a cellar, will afford a sufficiently high tempera- 

 ture ; and the advantage in all cases will be that of obtain- 

 ing from one foot of surface as much produce as in the natural 



VOL. III. Y 



