[ 1^6 ] 



Article L, 



Oh the Cultivation and Cure of the T'ru^ 

 Rhubarb. 



[Letter II. by G. P.] 



Gentlemen, 



YOUR Secretary's remarks on my objedions 

 to the flicing of the roots of Rhubarb whert 

 taken up to dry, feem very juft: but give me 

 leave to obferve, that on my cutting the root, a 

 quantity of matter, of the confidence of melted 

 glue, ifTued from it, which, after the aqueous par- 

 ticles were extradled, hardened, and formed a gum 

 or refin. 



Query, Whether it is not neceffary to preferve 

 as much as pofTible of this fubftance with the root, 

 as pofTefTing a quality equals if not fuperior, to the 

 root itfelf? And allowing the root to be cut in 

 lengths, but not barked or fliced, (which was my 

 meaning*") would not a great deal of that refinous 

 matter be thereby prefer ved; and would not the 

 admiflion of air and fun, at the extremities of fuch 

 pieces only, be fufficient to extra6t the aqueous par- 

 ticles, and to purify and conco(5l the juices ? 



• See page 194. 



As 



