204 THE KITCHEN-GARDEN. [MARCH. 



considerably strong, for if exposed fully to this, during their infant 

 state, few of them would escape destruction thereby ; were you to 

 place a piece of board on end, about fifteen inches broad, and two 

 feet and a half high, at the south side of each hill, leaning a little 

 over the plants, this would answer the end effectually, without de- 

 priving them of the benefit of the circulating air. The first season 

 is their critical period, having survived that, they have nothing to 

 fear afterwards. Onions, lettuces or any other low growing crops, 

 may be either sown or planted in the intervals for the first year, so 

 that they are kept at a proper distance from the young plants. The 

 supernumerary plants, one being sufficient to be left in each of these 

 places for ultimate perfection, may be transplanted the spring fol- 

 lowing into new plantations, similarly prepared and at the same dis- 

 tance. 



The November following, all the leaves being then decayed, cover 

 the crowns of the plants two inches deep with earth from the inter- 

 vals, and if there is danger of any wet lodging, throw up trenches, 

 rounding the beds as is commonly done to asparagus, and for the 

 first winter, lay some dry litter over the plants. In the March 

 following, strip the covering till you just perceive the tops of the 

 plants, give all the ground a slight digging and dress it neatly after 

 you, observing to keep the beds well hoed, and always free from 

 weeds. 



Thus proceed every autumn and spring, till the roots have four 

 years growth, when some of them may be taken up for use ; but it 

 is generally admitted that their medicinal virtues increase, until they 

 are eight or ten years old. 



You must be very circumspect in the choice of ground ; particu- 

 larly, that it is not subject to lodge wet, for this plant, by no means 

 agrees with too much moisture ; preferring a rich dry sandy loam, 

 to any other kind of soil. 



Rhubarb may also be propagated by offsets from the old roots, or 

 by sowing the seed in seed-beds, and transplanting them when a 

 year old, into such beds and at the same distances as before directed 

 for sowing the seed ; but they always produce larger and better 

 roots, when sown where they are to remain. 



The proper time to take up the roots for use, is in autumn, after 

 the leaves and stalks are totally decayed ; when taken up, wash them 

 clean, trim off the small fibres, and lay them in an airy place to dry, 

 for four days, then rasp off the outward skin which greatly obstructs 

 the quickness of drying, from the pores not being laid open for the 

 herbaceous moisture to exhale ; the mere stripping of the bark, will 

 not be sufficient, the rasping it off, and the lacerating of the out- 

 ward part of the root adjoining it, will be necessary ; for, the lateral 

 pores must be opened, to permit the confined watery fluid to exude 

 freely. Then cut them in slices, which string on pack-thread so as 

 not to touch, and hang them up in a stove-room, to be kept con- 

 stantly warm till they are effectually dry. Should the se&son even 

 prove hot enough for drying them in the sun, the former method 

 would be preferable ; for by exposing them so much to the sun and 

 light, they would be greatly impaired in the colour, and perhaps 



