76 BEGINNER'S BOOK OF GARDENING 



but it is easily grown in any garden. It is increased by 

 root division just before growth is active in the early 

 spring. Each portion of root detached must have a 

 crown or bud, and the roots should be placed below the 

 surface, so that the crown is quite covered with soil. 

 At least three feet must be allowed from plant to plant. 

 No stems should be cut during the first season. Rhubarb 

 is a plant which cannot be given too much water. The 

 old way of forcing is the best. This consists in covering 

 over the plants early in the year with pots surrounded by 

 warm litters. Victoria, Sutton and Royal Albert are 

 among the best varieties. 



Cardoons 



The cardoon is not so much grown in England as on the 

 Continent, though it is a handsome and useful vegetable. 

 It is the stalks of the plant that are eaten, and these 

 need to be blanched like Celery. It requires plenty of 

 room for development, and is therefore out of place in a 

 very small garden. A rich, well- drained soil is required. 

 Seed may be sown early in April, in a cold frame. It is 

 better to sow in small pots, two or three seeds to a pot. 

 As soon as the seedlings are well above the soil they 

 should be thinned till only one, the finest, remains in 

 each pot. Plenty of ventilation should be given, and the 

 plants should be planted out in June. Trenches should 

 be prepared, twelve inches in depth, and below this 

 should be placed a layer of manure to a depth of a 

 further six inches. On the manure should be laid two 

 inches of soil, and on this should be planted the young 

 Cardoons. Eighteen inches should be allowed from plant 

 to plant, abundance of water should be given them, and 

 about the middle of October the lower small yellow 

 leaves should be cut away, the remaining branches 

 should be secured in an upright position, and the lower 



