R H E 



R H E 



IS of inferior quality to some of the followinGC! 

 but the plant being asliinsrent, its yoimy; stalk* 

 urulfootstalks of tlieleavesbeingcut and peeled in 

 s.j->rinsr, arc used tor tarts and other eulinary uses. 



It IS stated, ou the authority <if se\'eral rultiva- 

 tors of this ])laiit, by the editor of Miller's Dic- 

 tionary, that, by proper attention in the growth 

 and jireparation of the root, it may be obtained 

 here nearly in equal goodness to the foreign. 



The second species has a thick fleshy root, 

 which is vellow within, crowned with \ery large 

 palmated leaves, being deeply divided into acu- 

 minated segments, expanded like an open hand; 

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

 terminated by large spikes of flowers. 'I his is 

 said to be the true rhubarb. 



The third has a large, fleshy, branched root, 

 which is yellow within, and crowned by very 

 larce heart-shaped, sojiiewhat lobated, sharply 

 iiidentvd, thick smooth leaves ; and an upright 

 large stem, five or six feet high, garnished v>ith 

 leaves singly, and branching above ; having all_ 

 the branches terminated by nodding ])an;eles 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 al?a.bas a thick, branchy, 

 deep-striking root, wli^ is yellow within, and 

 crowned with large ohtong, undulate, somewhat 

 hairy leaves, having eipial footstalks, and an up- 

 right firm 'stem, fo\ir feet hidi, 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 protubeiances, 

 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 thev are ripe, where the plants are design- 

 ed to reriiain, 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'werc sown. When the plants 

 appear in the spring, the ground should be vyell 

 hoed over, to cut u"p the weeds ; and where they 

 are too close, some .-hoidd be cut up, leaving 

 them at the first hoeing six or eight inches 

 asunder : but at the second, they may he sepa- 

 rated lo afoot and half distance or more. When 



anv weeds appear, the ground should be scuffled 

 ov'erwithaDutch hocindry weather; butafterthc 

 plants cover the ground with their broad leaves, 

 they keep down the weeds without any further 

 trouble. The ground should be cleaned in au- 

 tunm 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- 

 in? ; and it is said that the old roots of the true 

 rhubarb are much preicrable 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 wav, 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 )ear is saved, the plants are not in 

 such danger of being devoured by vermin as 

 those from seed, nor so uncertain in growitig ; 

 they are not so tender, and only require keeping 

 clear of weeds. There is no difi"erence in the 

 size of the roots thus raised, horn those which 

 grow from seeds. This method was practised 

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

 several off'sets 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. '•' On further experience, 

 when he took "up his roots, either in spring 

 or autumn, he divided the head into many [larts; 

 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 on 

 the south or west. The indbpensable points 

 are the depth and good quality of the soil, which 

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



