RHUBARB. 265 



as possible, from which they reap a large profit, 

 sending it to different parts of the world. 



Rhubarb has been for centuries held in the 

 highest estimation on account of its active medi- 

 cinal properties ; few drugs being of more efficacy 

 in various complaints. It is a mild cathartic, 

 and commonly considered as one of the safest and 

 most innocent of the substances of this class. Be- 

 sides its purgative virtue, it has a mild astringent 

 one : hence it is found to strengthen the tone of 

 the stomach, and to be one of the most useful 

 purgatives in all disorders proceeding from a de- 

 bility and laxity of the fibres. 



In addition to the qualities of the rhubarb above 

 mentioned, it is allowed by all medical men to 

 make one of the most cooling, wholesome, and 

 delicious tarts sent to table ; many persons prefer it 

 indeed either to green gooseberries or apples. In the 

 early part of the season the stalks of rhubarb are 

 cut up and mixed with these fruits ; with the for- 

 mer before they have obtained their flavour, and 

 with the latter after losing it by long keeping. As 

 a plant, the rhubarb, particularly the Rheum pal- 

 matum, is highly ornamental in many situations in 

 the pleasure-ground ; its luxuriant foliage, height 

 of growth, and large palmated leaves, render it 

 striking and beautiful. 



The varieties of the Tart Rhubarb, by which name 

 it may be justly designated, form an object of much 

 interest and profit to the market-gardener ; and to 

 the cottager it cannot be too strongly recommended 

 as a most salubrious vegetable for his family, either 

 in tarts, puddings, or when baked whole in a dish. 



