266 THE VEGETABLE CULTIVATOR. 



It is of the easiest culture, and can be planted in 

 any light soil, either in an open or sheltered situation 

 in any part of his garden. 



Few vegetables have made a more rapid progress 

 in their cultivation, within the last forty or fifty 

 years, than the tart rhubarb ; for not only are large 

 quantities annually forced for the London markets, 

 but many acres are planted for the same supply ; 

 and the waggon-loads of stalks tied up in bundles 

 and sent thither during the season would almost 

 exceed credibility. 



The following are the most esteemed varieties, 

 which are cultivated more or less for the above 

 purposes : 



1. Rheum Rhaponticum Rhapontic Rhubarb. 

 A native of Asia : introduced and cultivated 

 since 1573. From the date it will be observed to 

 be an old inhabitant of the English garden. 



2. Rheum undulatum Waved-leaved, or Chi- 

 nese Rhubarb. A native of China ; and intro- 

 duced in 1734. 



3. Rheum hybridum Hybrid Rhubarb, a mixed 

 variety. A native of Asia ; and cultivated since 

 1778. 



4. Rheum palmatum Spreading, or Palmated- 

 leaved Rhubarb. A native of China and Tartary ; 

 and first introduced into this country, according to 

 the Hortus Kewensis, in 1763, The roots of this 

 and the undulatum species constitute the drugs sold 

 in our shops under the names of Chinese and Turkey 

 rhubarb ; the other varieties also possess the like 

 medicinal properties. 



There have been several attempts made to cul- 



