[ i86 ] 



for curing is, I think, when and as foon as the ftem 

 and leaves decay. If taken up in the fpring, it is 

 fo fucculent as to be dried with difficuky, and I be- 

 lieve lofes a good deal of its refinous particles by 

 the glutinous juice that iflues from it. 



The fpecimen fent herewith is from a root of 

 fix or feven years growth, taken up about a month 

 fince. It fhould, on taking up, be divided into 

 proper parts, and the outer rind diced off, then 

 hung on a firing expofed to fun and air, and de-r 

 fended from wet. Each piece fhould hang fepa- 

 rate from the other, and care fhould be taken that 

 it does not grow mouldy. When hardened on the 

 outfide, let it be removed to the corner of a kitchen 

 chimney, where a moderate fire is conflantly kept, 

 tilj it is perfectly dry. It may then be rafped, and 

 all the difcoloured outfide taken off, 



I am convinced that the older the plant is, the 

 better the quality will be s* for although it may 

 have great virtues at four or five years growth, and 

 may attain to upwards of twenty pounds weight 

 when green, yet the root will be horny and flinty 

 when dried, and not of that woody fine texture or ap- 

 pearance which it acquires at a more mature growth, 



♦ See Article XLIX. 



The 



