DIVISION OF GARDENS AND GROUNDS. 685 
the brush. If blight is discovered on a twig or on a branch it should be removed 
without delay. With this attention, and covering the main branches with the 
wash, losses from blight need not greatly be feared. 
RHUBARB. 
N. H. C., WALTON County, Ga. 
I am anxious to purchase a small quantity of seed of the true medicinal Rhubarb. 
If you will kindly inform me of its botanical name and where it can be obtained, 
and anything you may know about its culture or preparation for market, you will 
place me under great obligations. I want the best Turkey rhubarb, or the best 
commercial kind, 
Answer.—Efforts hitherto made by the Department to procure seeds of the best 
medicinal rhubarb have not been successful. It appears that medico-botanists differ 
in opinions as to the species of rhubarb which yields the best medicinal root; on the 
other hand, it has been stated that the roots of the common kinds, grown for culinary 
purposes under the name of Pie-plant, yield good medicinal roots, and that much 
of the article in commerce comes from this source. 
It is an article of very ancient use. It is said to be mentioned by Chinese writers 
four thousand five hundred years ago. It is mentioned by early writers as having 
been brought fiom beyond the Bosphorus. The Rha, which came into Europe by 
the ancient caravan routes from northern China, by Bokhara and Asia Minor, was 
called Rha-ponticum and that which came by Russia and Danube was called Rha- 
barbarum. The designations Turkey, Russia, East Indian, and Canton rhubarb 
merely indicate the commercial channel through which the article has been de- 
rived in modern times. 
To the species Rheum palmatum has been attributed the origin of Persian, Turkey, 
Russian, and Muscovite rhubarbs, and Chinese rhubarbs are said to be produced 
chiefly, if not wholly, by Rhewm australe. 
It is now claimed that the true source of the best medicinal rhubarb is Rheum 
officinale, a native of Thibet. 
The ordinary species of rhubarb are herbaceous perennials, with a thick root 
stock and deciduous leaves. In Rheum officinale, after the third or fourth year of 
its growth from seed the root-stock gradually decays and a stem-is formed above 
ground from which roots are emitted to support the plant. These stems have thick 
branches, often 6 to 8 inches in diameter, and are the parts used in medicine, and 
not the rhizome or root. 
It is considered that very much of the difference of appearance and quality of 
commercial rhubarb is largely owing to the time of lifting the root and the care 
given in its preparation for market. The roots are in many places taken up early 
in autumn; the Chinese dig up the roots early in spring, just before the leaves 
appear. 
Oy tied the roots are lifted they are first divested of all small fibers, then thoroughly 
cleaned by washing. After drying in the sun for several days they are cut in thin 
slices, and after a further due exposure to the sun a hole is bored in each slice 
and strung on a thread until properly dried. 
The pieces are then put through a finishing process by being placed in a close 
cylinder where they are subjected to abrasion by the rapid revolution of the vessel. 
This smooths their surfaces, liberating at the same time a fine dust or powder which 
envelops each piece with a fine bloom, like that upon the surface of a ripe plum. 
There is no reason to doubt that the root if grown in the warmer climates here 
would be equal to the best, provided species which yield a good article could be 
procured. Its culture is simple and its preparation easily accomplished. 
GINSENG. 
P. W., ALBEMARLE CouUNTY, VA. 
Has the Chinese Ginseng plant been cultivated in this country? I would try it 
if 1 knew where to purchase seed. If you can give me any information as to how 
seeds or plants can be had and how it is cultivated I will be obliged; also, would 
like to know the probable profit of the crop. 
Answer.—So far as can be learned ginseng has not been successfully cultivated 
in this country. It is a product of the woods, and efforts made in its culture have 
not proved satisfactory. Chinese ginseng is closely allied to our native species; 
