THi: Cll.IXARY GARDEN. 



297 



having hitlierto been the supposed species. Tliis has been attempted to be cultivated 

 in this country for the supply of our druggists, but not with that success, which could 

 be wished for so useful and safe a medicine. The Duke of Athol, some years ago, at 

 the suggestion of the late Dr. Hope, of Edinburgh, carried the cultivation of thi» 

 plant to a considerable extent, and his benevolent design was attended with con 

 siderable success. The roots, which he cultivated in the light sandy soils, similar to 

 those of the Tartarian desert, grew to a considerable size, many of them were found 

 to weigh fifty pounds, and to be equal in smell, taste, and effect, to those which we 

 import at a considerable national expense. On being dried, they were found to 

 shrink to one-quarter of their original weight. There is great reason to beheve, that 

 rhubarb cultivated in this country, is superior to that of foreign growth, the latter 

 being gathered at all seasons, on account of the Mongall hunters, on their route, 

 drawing up the roots indiscriminately, piercing them at one end, and shnging them 

 on their belts ; then leaving them to dry in their tents without further care. The 

 scheme was ultimately abandoned by the Duke of Athol, and we beheve has not 

 smce been attempted to any extent by any one else. It was introduced in 1758. 



The Rheum Rhuponticum, is a native of Asia, and introduced here in 1573, and has 

 been longer in cultivation than the others. 



The Rheum Ifybridum, is also a native of Asia, and introduced in 1778. This is 

 considered the strongest growing species, and well calculated for culinary purposes, 

 being more succulent than the Rheum Rhapoiiticum, and was brought into notice by 

 Mr. A. Dickson of Edinburgh. 



Rheum Tartaricum, is a valuable species, and requires no peeling in dressing ; when 

 cooked it is of a fine red colour, and continues to produce stalks longer than any of 

 the other sorts. 



Buck's Scarlet, as described in the Hort. Trans., is an excellent sub-variety, and 

 well calculated for forcing. 



Sage, — Salvia officinalis, {Linn.) — belongs to the class and order Diandric Mono- 

 gynia, and natural order Labiat<r. Is a native of the south of Europe, and intro- 

 duced here before 1597. The leaves are used in a variety of forms in culinary pre- 

 parations, and are employed often in medicine. Of this species there are several 

 varieties ; the red and green are the most common in cultivation ; the others differ 

 only in the size of their leaves, and are called broad and narrow-leaved sage. It is 

 used in all families. 



Samphirk, — Crithmum maritimum, (Linn.) — belongs to the class and order Pen- 

 tnndria Digynia, and natural order Umbelliferce. Is a native of our sea-coasts in 

 particular places, such as Dover Chffs and the Isle of Portland. Is used as a pickle, 

 and sometimes as a salad. It has not been cultivated in the gardens with much 

 success. The late John Braddick, Esq. attempted its culture, but succeeded only in 

 a partial degree. It is not likely ever to become a plant of general culture. The 

 Inula Crithmifolia, a native also of our sea-coasts, is used as a substitute for it, and is 

 much more likely to be cultivated with success. The Salicornia Jlcrbacia, another 

 sea-side plant, is used for the same purposes, but not likely to become an inhabitant 

 of our gardens. 



Sorrel, — Rumex, {Linn.) — belongs to the class and order Hexandria Trygynia, 

 and natural order Polygonea. There are several species cultivated, and of them 

 some slight varieties, differing in the succulency of their leaves, which is their prin- 

 cipal merit. 



The Rumcx Aretosa, or garden sorrel, is a native of our meadows and pastures . 

 has lon« been in cultivation, and is used in soups, salads, and sauces, and very gene- 

 rally on the CO tincnt as a spinarh. 



ThaRt rr.', '■:. „', !fus, or Frcncli, Roman, or round-leaved sorrel, i= a native of 



2a 



