liv PROCEEDINGS OF THE EOYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Other Exhibits. 



Messrs. Sutton, Reading, sent a new Rhubarb ' Sutton's Christmas,' 

 respecting which they wrote as follows, viz. : — 



" The stock of this Rhubarb reached us in 1894 from a correspondent 

 in Australia, who wrote saying that it always started into growth when 

 other Rhubarbs went to rest for the winter. He did not know whether 

 this peculiarity would be maintained in the Old Country, but should be 

 glad to send us roots. Since 1894 we have grown this Rhubarb, and 

 every year it has started into growth about November, and luhen not cut 

 doiun by frost has been in full vigour of growth at Christmas. Five 

 weeks ago the plants, which were growing without any protection what- 

 ever, were in full bearing, and large bundles were pulled, averaging two 



Fig. 126.— Peab 'Olivier de Serres.' {Journal of Horticulture.) 



feet in length, the sticks | to 1 inch in diameter, and brilliant scarlet in 

 colour. When cooked it was fully equal in flavour to Rhubarb when first 

 ready for pulling in the spring. When the snow and frost set in abou 

 four weeks ago, by an error of judgment on the part of the foreman, the 

 plants were not only protected with thatched hiu'dles around the bed, but 

 loose dung from the stable was piled up round the outside of the hurdles, 

 and thatched hurdles were also placed across the top. As a result the 

 plants were useless for submitting to the Committee, not having been 

 really grown in the open air. About January 5 the dung was all removed, 

 as well a3 the thatched hurdles on the top of the bed, in the hope that 

 the leaves might recover their natural colour before the meeting of the 

 Committee on the 15th inst. But on the night of the 14th we had a 



