The Rural Voice, 2001-05, Page 37celery" when I was a kid — is
headed with a Targe heavy green leaf
that is poisonous and should not be
eaten by people or animals. My
grandpa always added the leaves to
his compost piles believing that they
helped break down the decomposing
material. Rhubarb goes into flower in
later parts of the growing season and
the small whitish -pink panicles that
make up the clusters are also
poisonous.
When I was a girl, a favorite
snack was a fresh -picked stalk of
sour celery daubed in salt or sugar
and nibbled o,t with a drawn -up
pucker. A stick of crispy rhubarb
spread with peanut butter is another
tangy treat that I still enjoy today
while taking a garden break.
However, heeding Grandmother's
wise advice, one should never eat
more than a couple sticks of raw
rhubarb at a time because, like sour
green apples, they can cause a quick
case of "the runs".
Rhubarb can be enjoyed as soon
as the stalks are big enough for
picking. The smaller the stalk, the
more tender the rhubarb.
Grandmother used the stalks all
summer long for fresh baked goods
and other treats, then as the plant
matured and became somewhat
tougher, she would do the rhubarb up
into preserves for winter use.
Although rhubarb is considered a
fruit by most people and is usually
served in sweet dishes and desserts, it
is really more of a vegetable being a
member of the herbaceous family.
Rhubarb is said to be rich in both
malic and citric acids, thus
containing Vitamin C.
In the olden days, rhubarb was
used for various medical purposes.
Grandmother has it written in her
doctorin' journals that a broth of
rhubarb administered in dosage is
effective for treating constipation. I
also remember her serving me honey -
sweetened rhubarb syrup that had the
power to sooth a sore throat. When I
was a kid, I often saw Grandpa
rubbing his hands and arms with a
bruised rhubarb leaf to ward off
swarming mosquitoes.
Grandmother would use them for
fanning off the nasty pests! I found
that a couple ample leaves made
excellent roof tops for summer forts.
Here are some of my favorite
recipes for using delightful rhubarb
TEST-DRIVE THE FUTURE
THE IRON HORSE
OF OUR STABLE.
TheToro® Wheel Horse® 17-44HXL Tractor
No Interest
No Payment
until
October 15/01
OAC
WARRANTY
With a cast iron front axle and powerful engine, this could be the last lawn tractor
you'll ever need. Test-drive one today.
• 17 hp Vanguard' Briggs.& Stratton* • 44" Recycle" mowing deck standard
OHV engine • KeyChoice'" Reverse Operation System
• Pressure lubrication and spin -on oil filter • Add cart. snowblade, bagger. sunshade
• Hydrostatic transmission or snowthrower
THAT CAN READ YOUR MIND.
2
a
INTRODUCING A MOWER
Model 2004
Now
$66995
Reg. '709"
Save 'Cr
BRODHAGEN
B & K Tire & Battery
(519) 345-2248
MOUNT FOREST
Watson Tractor
(519) 323-2755
www.toro.com
Introducing the Personal Pace
Self -Propel System. Just place your
hands on the handle and go.
Personal Pace automatically mows
at the pace you want to go. Test-
drive the intelligent new self -propel
system at a Toro dealer today.
Toro® Super Recycler® Mower
with Exclusive Personal Pace*
• 6.0 hp Toro GTS' engine guaranteed -to -start on the first
or second pull for 5 years or Toro fixes it FREE!'
• Personal Pace Self -Propel System puts you in.control
• Patented Super Recycler® cutting system mulches for a
healthy and beautiful lawn
• Durable cast aluminum deck
• Five year full warranty'
CHESLEY
Robert's Farm Equipment
(519) 363-3192
OWEN SOUND
Kingwell Lawn & Power
Hwy. #6 North (519) 376-8706
DRAYTON
Olivet Sales 8 Service
(519) 638-2555
TORO
y
9
ELORA ,>
De Boer's Farm
(519) 846-5388
0
0
N(wl Wm.
Tadao ARIAgAlmai
When you want it done right•
MAY 2001 33