PALMATE-LEAVED RHUBARB. 661 



nourishing and grateful food ; and they yield, by expression, 

 an oil which is regarded as inferior only to that of the olive." 

 Low. 



The expense of labor forms the principal objection to the 

 cultivation of the Poppy in the United States for its opium. 

 As, however, the plants succeed well, and can be easily and 

 extensively grown in any section of the country, and as the 

 process of extraction, though minute, is yet simple, the em- 

 ployment of females or children might render its production 

 remunerative. 



PALMATE-LEAVED RHUBARB. Law. 

 Turkey Rhubarb. Rheum palmatum. 



This species is readily distinguished by its deeply divided 

 or palmate leaves, and is generally considered as that from 

 which the dried roots chiefly used in medicine are obtained. 

 Like the Pie Rhubarb, it requires a deep, rich soil, which 

 should be thoroughly stirred, and put in as fine a state of cul- 

 tivation as possible, before setting the plants. These should 

 be placed about three feet apart in each direction, and kept 

 free from weeds during the summer. They will not be ready 

 for taking up until five or six years old. 



The roots are thick and succulent, with a brownish skin 

 arid bright yellow flesh, streaked or variegated with red. 

 After being dug, they are washed clean, cut in rather large 

 pieces, and dried, either by the sun or in kilns formed for the 

 purpose, when they are ready for use. 



Rhubarb from Turkey and the neighboring countries is 

 generally preferred ; but it is said its superiority, to a great 

 degree, is attributable to the manner in which it is dried and 

 prepared for market. It is propagated by seed, or by a 

 division of the roots. 



