RHUBARB

Rheum hybridum



RHUBARB is so much valued that we need not recommend it. There are some

remarkably fine sorts in cultivation, adapted for early work, main-crop,

and late use.



Although an accommodating plant, Rhubarb requires for profitable

production a rich deep soil, well worked, and heavily dressed with

rotten manure, and a situation remote from trees, but in some degree

sheltered. It will be observed that the markets are supplied from

sheltered alluvial soils, that have been much cultivated, and kept in

high condition by abundant manuring. On the other hand, the coarser

kinds will make a free and early growth on a damp clay, if sheltered

from the east winds that so often damage early spring vegetation. The

shortest way to establish a plantation is to purchase selected roots of

first-class named varieties, and plant them in one long row, three to

four feet apart, or in a bed or compartment four feet apart each way.

The smaller kinds will do very well at two and a half feet each way, but

for large-growing sorts this would be injuriously close. Plant with the

top bud two inches deep, tread in moderately firm, then lightly prick

the ground over, and so leave it. Rhubarb may be planted at any time in

spring or autumn but of the two the spring is preferable. In any case

where a special cultivation is determined on, it will be found that bone

manure has a wonderful effect on the growth of Rhubarb.



It is not sufficient to say that the plantation must be kept free from

weeds, but the plant should be allowed to make one whole season's growth

before a single stalk is pulled. And the pulling in the second season,

and every season thereafter, should be moderate and careful, for every

leaf removed weakens the plant, and it must be allowed-time to regain

strength for the next season. Some people know not when to leave off

pulling Rhubarb, but appear unwilling to cease until there is none to

pull; and it is a pity this should happen, especially as after the

delicate supplies of early spring are past, Rhubarb is a comparatively

poor thing, and to ruin a plantation to get stalks for wine is great

folly. For wine-making a special plantation should be made, from which

not one stick should be taken for table use. The summer stalks will then

be of a suitable character.



Rhubarb is easily forced in any place where there is a moderate warmth,

and it is only needful to pack the roots in boxes with moss or any light

soil, or even rough litter. The roots will push into any moist material

and find sufficient food. If entirely exposed to the light, forced

Rhubarb has a full colour; but the quality is better, and the colour

quite sufficient, if it is forced in the dark; hence when put under the

stage in a greenhouse, or any other place where there is a fair share of

daylight, it is well to put an empty box or barrel over to promote a

certain degree of blanching.



When raising Rhubarb from seed sow in spring in light soil, and the

young plants should have frame culture until strong enough to plant out.

If a great number are grown, they should all be kept in pots until the

end of the season, and then the common-looking and unpromising plants

should be destroyed, reserving the others for planting out in the

following spring. A new type of Rhubarb which is readily raised from

seed will remain in bearing continuously if put out on good ground and

given protection during severe winter weather. Seed of this strain

should be sown in March or April, in pots or boxes placed in a cold

frame. Plant out the seedlings in May and these will generally yield

sticks in the autumn. Seed may also be sown in the open ground in

spring.