122 
THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
RHUBARB. 
| HIS wholesome and agreeable vegetable has become so 
popular as a substitute for fruit in tbe early spring, that 
no garden should be without it. It will grow anywhere, 
is so hardy that no frosts will injure the roots, however 
much exposed, and is so prolific that a few plants will 
yield a plentiful supply of stalks for a large family. Tet notwith- 
standing tbe case with which it is cultivated, we often see it badly 
grown, and sometimes hear the complaint that parties have failed in 
their efforts to get a crop. Our remarks will obviate every objection, 
if attended to, and enable our readers to grow rhubarb for themselves 
with ease and success. Rhubarb has a hard underground stem, 
which pushes forth buds plentifully at the crown, or part nearest the 
surface ; every one of these buds taken off with a portion of root 
adhering to it, will form a large plant in one season. If you wish to 
make a plantation now (although the season is rather too far 
advanced, it may still be done), get as many buds or crowns as your 
bed will admit of, allowing each two or three feet every way, accord- 
ing to the habit of the varieties you prefer. The plan generally 
adopted is to purchase as many roots as are necessary to fill the 
allotted space, but this is a more expensive and far less eligible method 
than the one now recommended. Last year a new sort of rhubarb 
was offered in the neighbourhood of the writer at five shillings a 
plant. Some of his friends purchased four or five roots, but he was 
satisfied with one. On receiving it he placed it in a hole, and covered 
it up with soil until February, when, on examination, five good buds 
were developed. The root was then divided into five parts, each of 
which, at the present time, is a large, flourishing plant, equal to any 
of those which were not divided. A bed was thus obtained for five 
shillings, equal, indeed superior, to some costing twenty-five shillings. 
We are convinced, from actual experiment, that rhubarb may be 
brought to perfection in one year ; that old beds are inferior to new 
ones ; and that fresh plantations should be made every year. The 
old plan of making a bed to descend to posterity should be exploded, 
in reference to many garden productions. Strawberries, raspberries, 
rhubarb, etc., etc., should be removed often, if fine healthy produce 
is wished for. 
Having a sufficient number of buds or crowns, let them be 
planted in a well-trenched and manured soil. If the leaves are 
developed, care must be taken to prevent their flagging. This may 
be done by placing over them some long litter, sufficient to answer 
the purpose without excluding light and air. The young plants 
will soon be established, and will grow rapidly. No leaves must be 
taken off the first year, as the object is to convey all the elaborated 
sap possible to the stem for future use. If the ground is good, and 
kept free from weeds, no more care is required, and abundance of 
fine stalks can be taken off next spring. An exposed situation, with 
plenty of sun and air, will of course bring this production to greatest 
perfection ; but it will produce good crops without having these 
advantages fully. Every house with a garden, however small, may 
