1884 .] 
THE AMERICAN GARDEN. 
23 
RHUBABB OULTUBE. 
Rhubarb, Uko Currant bushes, wall gi-ow 
almost anywhere and under any treatment, 
and consequently receives more ill usage 
than any other “ green thing growing.” But 
for this reason it should not bo supposed 
that when gi-owing under neglect and abuse 
it will do its best and produce as abundant 
crops and of equally good quality as when 
good ti-eatmeut is given. 
After it is once planted, Rhubarb requires 
little cultivation, but it must have at all 
times deep, rich soil, the richer the better. 
In field culture, the roots are planted about 
four feet apart each way, and cultivated 
fall, the roots will produce a crop for an 
almost indefinite period. Heavy manuring, 
clean cultivation, and liberal space are the 
essential requisites for raising large, suc¬ 
culent Rhubarb. The varieties best known 
are: 
Lhmwiis, grown extensively for market as 
well as home use. It is early, very produc¬ 
tive, and of a brisk, spicy flavor. Its principal 
fault is that it seeds so freely that unless all 
flower stalks are cut ofl! as soon as they 
ajjpoar, the crop deteriorates rapidly. 
riGloria is later, has larger leaves and 
stalks, and requires very rich, rather heavy 
ground for its best development. 
strength of the plant being used for the 
development of its leaves. The habit of the 
plant is remarkably compact, so that plan¬ 
tations do not require to be renewed every 
few years, while the clumps nevertheless 
retain their original position. To judge from 
the high praise this variety has received in 
England, as well as from our own experience 
in growing it, we do not doubt that, when 
generally known, it will bo largely plantc 
in preference to the older kinds. 
THE BEST TOMATOES. 
In a test of fifty-five Tomatoes grown by 
Josiah Hoopes, and reported by him to the 
EARLY "PARAGON" RHUBARB. 
like any hoed crop. In the family garden, 
they should be planted two to three feet 
apart, in a single row, at least four feet dis¬ 
tant from other plants. 
It may be raised from seed, but as there is 
little reliance in the seedlings being of the 
same variety as the parent plants, division 
of the roots is the method of propagation 
usually adopted. Any piece of root with a 
bud or crown will grow if planted about two 
inches deep in mellow soil firmly pressed 
around it. Roots may be planted in autumn 
or ea.rly spring. Plantations are usually 
renewed every four or five years, yet when a 
liberal dressing of manure is given every 
Paragon. This is a new variety, originated 
in England, and now introduced here. We 
grew it last year alongside of the older kinds, 
and were so favorably impressed with its 
superiority that we give herewith an ac¬ 
curate, much reduced illustration of a clump 
of roots and leaves. The stalks are bright 
red, very heavy, and produced in quick suc¬ 
cession and wonderful abundance. It is 
earlier, of more delicate flavor, and decidedly 
less acid than any other variety we are ac¬ 
quainted with. But its most remarkable and 
most valuable qualifleation is that it does not 
produce flower stalks, to which fact its great 
productiveness is mainly attributable, all the 
New-TorTt Tribune, he favored Livingston’s 
Perfection and Favorite as especially deserv¬ 
ing of praise. The fruit was large and solid, 
not cracking, and very even croppers. The 
Trophy held its own nobly. Among the 
early varieties, the Mayflower was a decided 
improvement on the Acme. Beauty was 
large, solid, and of brilliant scarlet color. 
Among the yellow varieties, the Golden 
Trophy proved the best in the entire list. In 
fact, it was not excelled in the whole col¬ 
lection for evenness of outline, solidity, fine 
flavor, and productiveness. When fully ripe, 
it has a rich golden tint, and when sliced 
raw, it makes a very ornamental dish. 
