R II E 



R H E 



is of inferior quality to some of the follow-in?; 

 but the plant being astringent, its young stalks 

 and footstalks of the leaves being cut and peeled in 

 sprins', are used for tarts and other culinary uses. 

 It is slated, on the authority of several cultiva- 

 tors of this plant, by the editor of Miller's Dic- 

 tionary, that, by proper attention in the growth 

 and preparation of the root, it mav be obtained 

 here nearly in equal goodness to the foreign. 



The second species has a thick fleshy root, 

 which is yellow within, crowned with very large 

 palmated leaves, being deeply divided into acu- 

 minated segments, expanded iike an open hand ; 

 the stems upright, five or six feet high or more, 

 terminated by large spikes of flowers. This is 

 said to be the true rhubarb. 



The third has a large, fleshy, branched root, 

 which is yellow within, and crowned by very 

 large heart-shaped, somewhat lobated, sharply 

 indented, thick smooth leaves ; and an upright 

 large stem, five or six feet high, garnished with 

 leaves singly, and branching above; having all 

 the branches terminated by nodding panicles of 

 white flowers. It has been supposed to be the 

 true rhubarb, which, however, though of supe- 

 rior quality to some sorts, is accounted inferior 

 to the second sort. 



The fourth species also has a thick, branchy, 

 deep-striking root, which is yellow within, and 

 crowned with large oblong, undulate, somewhat 

 hairy leaves, having equal footstalks, and an up- 

 right firm stem, four feet high, garnished with 

 leaves singly, and terminated by long loose spikes 

 of white flowers. 



The fifth has a thick fleshy root, and very 

 broad leaves, full of granulated protuberances, 

 and with equal footstalks ; the stems upright, 

 firm, three or four feet high, terminated by 

 spikes of flowers, succeeded by berry-like seeds, 

 being surrounded by a purple pulp. It is a 

 plant of much singularity. 



The sixth has a thick fleshy root, and heart- 

 ovate, plane, smooth leaves ; the petioles half 

 cylindric-angled. It is a native of Tartary. 



Culture. — These plants are all increased by 

 seeds, which should be sown in autumn soon 

 after they are ripe, where the plants are design- 

 ed to remain, as their roots being large and fleshy 

 when they are removed they do not recover it 

 soon ; nor do the roots of such removed plants 

 ever grow so large and fair as those which re- 

 main where they were sown. When the plants 

 appear in the spring, the ground should be well 

 hoed over, to cut up the weeds ; and where they 

 are too close, some should be cut up, leaving 

 them at the first hoeing six or eight inches 

 asunder ; but at the second, they may be sepa- 

 rated to a foot and half distance or more. When 



any weeds appear, the ground should be scuffled 

 over with aDutch hoe in dry weather; but after the 

 plants cover the ground with their broad leayes, 

 they keep down the weeds without any further 

 trouble. The ground should be cleaned in au- 

 tumn when the leaves decay, and in the spring, 

 before the plants begin to put up theirnew leaves, 

 be dug well between them. In the second year 

 many of the strongest plants will produce 

 flowers and seeds, and in the third year most of 

 them. It is advised, that the seeds be carefully 

 gathered when ripe, and not permitted to scat- 

 ter, lest they grow and injure the old plants. 



The roots continue many years without decay* 

 injr, ; and it is said that the old roots of the true, 

 rhubarb are much preferable to the young ones. 



These plants delight in a rich soil, which is 

 not too dry nor over moist; and where there is 

 a depth in such land for their roots to run down 

 they attain a great size both in the leaves and 

 roots. 



Some cultivators think that the sowing is best 

 performed in the later spring months ; but in 

 this way, as the seeds are slow in vegetating, 

 there is much time lost. And a hot-bed has 

 been sometimes employed, though it is not much 

 advised. 



The rhubarb plants may be also increased from 

 offsets, separating some of the eyes or buds 

 which shoot out on the upper parts of the root, 

 together with a small part of the root itself, 

 having some of the fibres to it. These offsets 

 may be taken from roots of three or four years 

 old, without any injury to the plant. By this 

 method a year is saved, the plants are not in 

 such danger of being devoured by vermin as 

 those from seed, nor so uncertain in growing ; 

 they are not so tender, and only require keeping 

 clear of weeds. There is no difference in the 

 size of the roots thus raised, from those which 

 grow from seeds. This method was practised 

 by Mr. Hays, and in Air. Hayward's practice 

 several offsets were slipped from the heads of 

 large plants in the spring, and set with a dibble 

 about a foot apart. Four years after he took 

 up the roots, and found them very large, and of 

 excellent quality. *f On further experience, 

 when he took up his roots, either in spring 

 or autumn, he divided the head into many parts j 

 these he planted directly, at two feet distance, 

 •if intended for future removal ; but if to remain 

 for a crop, at four feet and a half." 



In the culture of this root for medicinal uses 

 the nature of the aspect is said not to be very 

 material, provided it be not shaded too much oa 

 the south or west. The indispensable points- 

 are the depth and good quality of the soil, which 

 should be light, loamy, and rich, but not too 



