564 
THE R.HUBAKB. 
wrinkled. Leaf-stalks deeply furrowed in 
front, of a bright red colour. This appears to 
be one of the latest in starting into leaf. 
It is hardly possible to give a list of the 
varieties in cultivation, as they may be, and of 
course are, varying every year, the great 
growers continually raising their fresh supplies 
from seed. They may, however, be distin- 
guished as the red-stalked varieties, which are 
generally of smaller growth than the others, 
or common or green-stalked varieties. Those 
with red stalks are also preferred for forcing, 
and for small gardens, although their produce 
is not so great. They appear to be chiefly 
varieties of Rheum undulatum, and perhaps 
some of R. Rltaponticum, whilst the common 
and giant varieties have the most of them been 
procured from seed of R. hybridum. Among 
the scarlet-fleshed sorts, Ruck's Scarlet has 
long been highly prized for early forcing, and 
lately the Early Tobolsk has also been much 
grown. Among the common sorts, the giant 
varieties raised by Myatt of Deptford have 
been extensively cultivated, especially for the 
markets, their enormous produce in good land 
rendering them highly profitable. 
Rhubarb flourishes best in a deep free loam, 
well enriched with manure. In order to raise 
a stock of plants, select in the beginning of 
April a warm border, and bring it to the 
finest tilth, by repeated diggings. On this 
sow the seeds, raking them in slightly, and 
watering if the weather prove dry. But little 
more is necessary the first year than to thin 
them out so that they stand nearly clear of one 
another, and to keep the bed clear of weeds. 
Occasional soakings of water, if a dry season, 
will prove highly beneficial. In the next 
spring proceed to prepare the land for their 
final planting out. If they are to be planted 
in a quarter by themselves, let it be well 
trenched and manured, and having properly 
levelled it, in March the plants should be put 
out. If a giant sort, the rows should be at 
least six feet apart, and the plants nearly as 
distant in the rows. For the smaller sorts 
three or four feet apart every way will be 
found sufficient. In lifting the roots from the 
seed bed, great care should be used, so that 
they sustain as little damage by breakage or 
lengthened exposure to the atmosphere as 
possible. The best way is to open a trench at 
one end of the seed bed, and carefully fork 
them out, selecting the strongest for planting, 
and forcing the others, or making reserve beds 
of them. When planted out, keep the ground 
well stirred and clear of weeds, and water 
liberally in dry weather. Of course, to a strong 
growing plant like this, liquid manure occa- 
sionally would be a great help. In the suc- 
ceeding winter the ground should receive a 
good coat of manure, which should be deeply 
dug in, breaking the soil well round the plants. 
The next spring the plants will afford a tole- 
rable supply of leaves, but they should not be 
stripped off too often, as it materially weakens 
the plants. Such a plantation will last many 
years, by pursuing the. above routine of culti- 
vation, and not distressing the plants too much 
by taking too many of their leaves. The 
market-gardeners seldom keep the plants 
many years, as they strip them so close as 
soon to weaken them, and they therefore sow, 
plant, and destroy a certain quantity every 
season. 
If, however, it be wished to perpetuate any 
particular variety, as Buck's Scarlet for in- 
stance, a different plan must be pursued. In 
spring take up the old roots, and separate 
them into as many pieces as convenient, leav- 
ing at least one good bud to each piece. Plant 
these in good soil, and mind they do not sutler 
for want of water. By the next season they 
will form strong plants, fit for forcing where 
they stand, or for potting up for that purpose. 
In this way any favourite variety may be in- 
creased, and kept true, which would not be 
the case if they were raised from seed. 
Rhubarb may be forced in many different 
ways. Where an old piece is about to be 
destroyed, the roots may be covered with pots 
used for forcing sea-kale, and a gentle warmth 
applied by linings of dung or leaves. From 45 
to 55 degs. will generally be found heat enough 
to bring it forward. In this situation the 
forcing may be begun as early in the winter 
as desirable, the stalks being generally ready 
for use in about six weeks, if the heat be 
moderate. Where a mushroom house or early 
vinery is available, rhubarb may be forced 
with less labour and litter than by the above 
method. Late in the autumn, when the plants 
are quite at rest, let a sufficient supply of roots 
be dug up and potted in pots or boxes. Let 
them be set under a north wall, and watered, 
to settle the mould about them. From this 
they can he moved into heat as wanted. A 
box three feet long, twenty inches wide, and 
of sufficient depth to take the roots without 
breaking them, will yield a moderate supply 
for a small family, one such box being intro- 
duced to heat about every three weeks. A 
light soil should be used in the boxes ; some 
indeed preferring old tan. If the sort be 
scarce, the plants after forcing should be 
sheltered from bad weather until April, when 
they may be turned out in light rich ground, 
and will be fit for forcing again after a season's 
growth. 
Another method has been recommended, 
that of using roots only one year old, potting 
them up in a similar manner, and forcing them 
in any available space ; if in a vinery or where 
there is light, then covering the pot containing 
