Il
Messsr. Whitley, Brames, and Milne, at Fulham, but they
have not yet flowered. Mr. Anderson, at the Apothecaries’
Company’s Garden at Chelsea, has it also growing
very luxuriantly; and any person who has a garden may
now grow his own Rhubarb, by which means he will be
certain to get it true, which is frequently not the case when
purchased at the Druggists or Apothecaries, who often sell
the common sort for it, as we have repeatedly found; this
latter is of very little use, and it is only deceiving the public
who buy it.
We are informed that the stems of the leaves of this species
have the same effect as the root, only of course a
greater portion of them will require to be used; they may
be made up in a small tart like the stems of the common
Rhubarb; and we are of opinion that if this medicine is
judiciously used, either the stems or roots, there will be
very little need of any other; we never use any other sort
ourselves; and there can be no doubt but too much of any
sort weakens, and after a time completely destroys the
constitution, particularly the mineral compositions so much
now in use.
The best method of raising plants of this species from
seeds, is to sow them in pots, which should be placed in
frames in Winter, as the young plants will be liable to be
killed by severe frost; if the seeds are very dry, many of
the plants will not come up till the second year; but if
sown as soon as ripe, the greater part will come up the
following Spring. When planted in the borders, they will
require to he planted deep, that the frost may not injure
their crowns in Winter; and if the Winter is very severe,
it will be requisite to cover them up a little; a good rich
loamy soil suits them best.
Rheum, according to Dioscorides, has its origin from
the river Rha, (now the Volga,) “ beyond which grows a
root bearing its name, that is much renowned in medicine.”
Rhabarbarum of Tournefort is derived from the same
source. Linnseus derives it from pew to flow, from its
medicinal qualities.
1. Perianthium spread open, to show its unequal segments. 2. The 8 Stamens.
3. The rough glandular P edicle , terminated by the Ovarium, three
Styles and peltate Stigmas. 4. Part o f a branch o f Seeds. 6. Small Leaf,
partly coloured, to show the little red glands at the margin.