Page:The family kitchen gardener - containing plain and accurate descriptions of all the different species and varieties of culinary vegetables (IA familykitchengar56buis).pdf/119

 trouble, and others have not the material at command; to such, we say, cover the roots with six or eight inches of any dry material, which will forward them two weeks before those that are uncovered. Others may have the convenience of a green-house under the stage, or some other warm building—even a warm closet, or a furnace in the cellar. In such situations the plants can be forwarded by planting them in November into large pots or boxes, with good earth, and placing them at any required time into any of these situations, giving water freely when they begin to grow. A crop will be obtained in a space of time varying according to the heat that is at command. After the plants have done producing stalks for culinary use, they may be turned out into a half shady, rich piece of ground, in May, when, after a season's growth, they can again be used for the same purpose. Hotbeds, frames or pits, will also do for forcing this article; but in such a case, the glass must be darkened to cause them to grow and blanch. The atmosphere must also be freely saturated with water, to make the stalks swell to their full height and size. There are two advantages in blanching Rhubarb: first, the desirable qualities of appearance and flavor; and secondly, a saving in the quantity of sweetening material to render them agreeable to the taste. The stalks, when blanched, are more tender than when grown under the influence of strong light and in open situations.

.—There is no obstacle to the cultivation of this interesting plant. It will stand unprotected as far north as the St. Lawrence, and yield annually a large crop. North of that limit all that is necessary for its preservation is to throw over it, during Winter, a quantity of dry leaves, to keep off intense frost, and, as Spring opens, to clear away the litter and cultivate the ground, as previously directed. If there is three months of good sun, it is all the plant requires to mature it. Wherever Oats will grow, the Rhubarb will thrive; only give it depth of soil for its roots, and