PRODUCTIONS OF THE SOIL. 121 



"which are frequently used in pies and tarts. 2nd, 

 Rheum undulatnm is also cultivated for the same 

 use. 3rdj the Palmatum, or true officinal rhubarb, is 

 a native of China and the East Indies, whence its 

 culture has been introduced into Europe; it produces 

 a thick fleshy root, externally yellowish brown, but 

 internally of a bright yellow colour, streaked with 

 red veins. The several kinds of rhubarb may be 

 propagated by offsets taken from the roots early in 

 January, or from seed sown late in September, or in 

 January or February, in drills one inch deep and a 

 foot apart. The indispensable points to the pro- 

 duction of good roots "of the palmatum are depth and 

 richness of soil, which should be well pulverized 

 before the plants are set out. Prepare beds of fine 

 moidd eighteen inches deep; in these put in the 

 plants fi-om the seed-bed, ten or twelve inches apart; 

 this must be done when they have attained the height 

 of four or five inches, and have thrown out as many 

 \ leaves. Those vho cultivate the palmatum for the 

 sake of the roots should dig the ground two or three 

 spades deep, and place the plants three feet apart 

 every way. The roots of the palmatum must not be 

 taken up until six or seven years old. The stalks of 

 the other kinds may be cut every spring, or as soon 

 as the leaves are expanded. After the roots of the 



