RED HYBRID RHUBARB. 
393 
readily obtained, tiiese should be trenched in, and thoroughly inter¬ 
mixed, such a portion as would raise the ground six inches in height, 
together with an equal quantity of decomposed stable manure.— 
If the two latter ingredients had been thrown up together for six 
months previously, being mixed and thoroughly incorporated, it 
would be an additional improvement. The ground being thus pre¬ 
pared, mark out the rows four feet apart, then proceed to plant off¬ 
sets or roots containing two or three eyes each, allowing three feet 
between plant and plant. November is the proper time for these 
operations. 
Many years ago, this hybrid Rhubarb was introduced into the 
gardens of the late Viscount Downe, where the same results followed 
as have attended its introduction at all other places; namely, the 
extirpation of every other variety, and its sole substitution. It ap¬ 
pears that his Lordship was an admirer of its flavour, and esteemed 
its virtues, for he gave directions that his table at Cowick should be 
supplied with it in one form or other every day in the year. For 
this purpose, and to procure an early supply, it was forced in pits, 
on the principle of Me’ Pliail. It was also preserved with sugar, as 
well as without sugar, after the manner of green gooseberries. The 
mode and detail of these processes, I leave to the sex to whom they 
properly belong. 
A proof of its excellence and superiority may be deduced from a 
fact, witnessed in part by myself, namely, that a market-gardener, 
who was presented with a root, about two years ago, was enabled to 
exhibit Rhubarb at his stall a few weeks earlier than his compeers. 
The first bunch thereof being sold to the housekeeper of a resident 
gentleman, he observed her early punctual attendance, each succes¬ 
sive market-day, on the opening of his stall, and her unvaried anxi¬ 
ous enquiry for “more of that crimson Rhubarb.” After a fortnight 
had elapsed his other varieties being plucked for market, and being 
mixed indiscriminately with the one which so much pleased the 
housekeeper, and which she denominated crimson, the gardener felt 
annoyed by her abstracting single stalks of it, from his several 
bunches, and laying them together. In reply to a remonstrance on 
this point, she said, “ he might charge what price he pleased, if he 
would only permit her to take her own choice, for she added, the 
crimson ones really make the most excellent preserve I have ever 
tasted or seen !” Thus the market-gardener became acquainted with 
the importance of his new commodity, and it is almost superfluous 
to observe, that henceforward it was increased in price and doubly 
esteemed. 
