358 Rhubarb. 
berts, lead, ball, powder and other things. To the above number 
of men 100 were to be added to bring back five of the ships, the 
others were to remain. This expedition for the purpose of colo- 
nization, set sail, and in 1540 reached Canada, under the Sieur 
Robevalj and in 1543, another fleet under his superintendence 
was sent to it. As the annular expansion of the trees growing in 
the forts referred to at the head of this article, were probably not 
examined, the supposition of 200 years having passed away since 
their occupancy, founded upon the size of the trees and the fallen 
timber beneath them, is not subject to much precision. What 
the size of the timber was at the early settlement of the country, 
in the neighborhood of the Genesee river, I am unable to say. 
The largest oak tree, however, that I have examined in this 
vicinity, indicated an age of only 150 years, and was 47 inches 
in diameter. But even if the proof was complete that these forts 
had not been inhabited for 200 years previously to 1798, when 
the examination referred to was made, yet the first expedition 
having arrived in Canada in 1540 would leave an interval of 258 
years between that period and 1798, which would have allowed 
over half a century for their occupancy. 
West Dresden^ July, 1848. 
RHUBARB. 
This wholesome and agreeable vegetatble has become so popu- 
lar as a substitute for fruit in the early spring, that no garden 
should be without it. It will grow any where, is so prolific that 
a few plants will yield a plentiful supply of stalks for a large 
family. Yet, notwithstanding the ease w'ith which it is cultivated, 
we often see it badly grown, and sometimes hear the complaint 
that parties have failed in their efforts to get a crop. Our remarks 
will obviate every objection, if attended to, and enable our readers 
to grow rhubarb for themselves with ease and success. 
Rhubarb has a hard underground stem, which pushes forth buds 
plentifully at the crown, or part nearest the surface; every one of 
these buds taken off with a portion of root adhering to it, will 
form a large plant in one season. If you wish to make a planta- 
tion, get as many buds or crowns as your bed will admit 
of, allowing each two or three feet eveiy way, according to the 
habits of the varieties you prefer. The plan generally adopted is 
to purchase as many roots as are necessary to fill the allotted space, 
but this is a more expensive and far less eligible method than the 
