84 ORD. XL. Holeracex. RHEUM UNDULATUM. 
to throw thé mould up to the roots. By observing this plan during the Win- 
ter, and raking off in Spring, the growth will be much encouraged. Unless 
it be necessary for the purpose of saving seeds, none of the plants should be 
allowed to throw up blooming stems, which, on their first appearance, 
should be cut down ; otherwise the plants are weakened at the root. 
“ The crop must stand seven years on the land; and, in fact, experience 
proves that the roots will keep increasing in size till a much older date, so 
that it might be taken up after that period, at such time as best suited the 
-market, or the proprietor’s pleasure.” The quantity in weight of the roots, 
at the end of seven years, will consequently vary according to circumstances ; 
but from’an experiment made this present Autumn, the writer is warranted 
in the supposition, that from one acre, jive thousand pounds’ weight may at 
least be expected of prime Rhubarb, besides a quantity that would find sale 
for inferior purposes to the druggists—as extract, tincture, &c. The labour 
attending this crop, from the distance which the plants are apart, is very 
trifling, and would require less expense, than in crops where the plants 
stood thicker, as in madder, &c. where the hoeing and weeding is more tedious. 
The expense would be in Ireland as follows :—First year 
Rent of one acre, or 160 perches 2 
Five thousand plants at 50s. . . =: 12 
Trenching, at 5d. PS rood ; ere 
Plantin 1 
Hoeing three times, Aa 7s. per acre Seach ae 1 
SomooR 
ig i178 
Second year— 
Rent PRE oN 200 
Digging, (a man) the plants at od. pet sd b 658 
oeing three times . kit 
: Ditto for five following years ....- ... = .+-:-% 2 
Trenching land to take up crop at 1s. per perch 
pairing & drying the crop, at 2d. per lb.—5000lbs. 2016 8 
_. Tithe, seven years, at 8s, : 2160 
