Forcing Rhubarb in the Ground.

Otago Witness, Issue 1911, 6 July 1888, Page 6

Forcing Rhubarb in the Ground.

There are various ways of forcing rhubarb. A suitable plan is to get several old casks or boxes that will each cover a whole rhubarb crown, and allow the sticks to grow up from loin to 2ft high. One end of the cask must be knocked out, and this will encircle the crown. A quantity of manure and leaves, or anything that will ferment and retain the heat for several weeks, should then be packed all round the cask, which should be covered over ; but a little ventilation should be admitted from the inside, as, when the manure heats, it may create steam, and if this cannot escape from the cask it will cause the crowns to decay. At the same time, the inside must be kept dark, or almost so, as the 6tems grow much faster in the dark than in the light, and they nre more tender and delicate. As a rule casks or boxes with a movable top are used, nnd this is taken off when it is desired to gather the produce ; whereas, if this were not the case, the bed would require to be disturbed in order to gather the produce. It takes about four weeks at this season from the time the crowns are covered over until the produce is ready. A succession is obtained by covering up a few roots according to demand every fortnight or three weeks. When rhubarb roots are lifted for forcing, they are rarely of much use afterwards ; but when treated in the way suggested, a little litter or anything may be thrown over them when forcing is Snißhed, and they will be as good as ever after a year's rest.