The Republican journal., 1871-05-25

THE RHIBARB PLANT. has always been
a.mattcr Of surprise to US that so few farm
ers cultivate the rhubarb or pic-plant. We
regard it as quite Indispensable for the t;l
Bile: and through May, June and July there
is nothing like its refreshing acid, for max
ing pics, tarts, sauce, etc, as healthful As
they are palatable to the taste.
The plant is hardy perennial, and it
comes into use the latter part of April, and
continues TO sell well till green currants,
@ooseberries and apples come along to take
its place. 1t is one of the things with which
the market is seldom or never Overst0ckcd.
For most other garden vegetables-thare
VIII al times come "glut' IN market, when
lor 4 time they become drug, but who ever
heard Of such Il thing with rhubarb
For the market, of course, much OF the
profit depends on the carliness, which is
due to The soil and locality and the amoun.
0i mauurin4. 1t is often forced forward by
placing a lIcadlesS barrel over the crown OF
The plant in March or early in April, put
ting long or coarse horse manure around
the barrel on the outside, which gets up
heat i'll the soil. Some gardeners force it
BY placing the roots under the tables I'M tie
greenhouse, and others in common hot
beds
Now every farmer ought to raise enough
for Ms family use, and every family who
has a rod or Two Of land can have d plenty
of this cheapest of all luNurics ana most
healthfnl of all plants. \ dozen OF roots set
ont in deep, rich soil will give an abundant
supply 1or a single family.
Rhublrb plants ought to have a heavy
dressing Of manure every spring to be fork
ed IN, and two or three hoeings through the
season, to keep down all weeds. 1t is
great point to have the stalks tender, and
to secure this they ought to be grown rap
idly under stimulating manurcs or a warm,
rich soil.
The ground, before setting out, ought to
be ploughcd thoroughly and subsoiled or
trenched deeply, and if necessary drained.
Turn under plenty of well rottcd manure,
Mt the rate OF at least sixty or seventy horse
cart loads TO the acre, for the greater the
quantity of manure, the larger and finer
will the rhubarb grow, and the larger and
finer it is the more it will bring.
Sci the roots about four feet apart each
way, in straight rows and regular distances.
Take divisions of old roots of the kind
Desired. They may be set in the spring or
the fail, the time being less important than
the condition of the soil. The plants when
we'll set and taken proper care Of, will last
many years without tranSplantlng, but il is
4 good plan TO take them up and divide the
roots every eight or ten years. This is
done in August. If the roots are properly
separted, Il part Of IL crop can be gathered
the next year, and the second year Il fan
crop.
CahoonS Seedlings is 4 late variety OF a
large stock, but is apt to be Il little stringy
when it gets to be of fnl size. 1t is very
juicy. The Victoria is also al Irather late va
riety, but grows so long and large that it is
wit /, tha. nrlo
ats LennHus is an early variety, cAtcn
sively cultivated for an early crop, and said
to be one of the best favored of all the
Kinds.
But the main point is to set out 4 few
plants this spring and take good care of
them. Ii you haven't any already, don't
fail to get some: set them out and take
good care to make them grow. Mass.
Ploughman.