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over estimated. Taken individualy we find that most of them have a 

 medicinal value, which if fully appreciated by the public would do much 

 to decrease the alarming consumption of patent medicines which at 

 present prevails amongst our people. 



Asparagus is not a delicacy of recent date, but was highly valued 

 by the Romans as long ago as 425 B.C. The green asparagus is con- 

 sidered the best variety, and may be grown to perfection among the 

 vines in our southern counties. It is only slightly nutritive, but contains 

 a crystaline nitrogenous substance called asparagin, which produces 

 marked physiological effects. 



Cabbage contains sulphur, and is therefore flatulent in effect. Boil- 

 ing dissipates a good deal of the sulphur compounds and softens the 

 cellulose, but cabbage is never so digestible as when young, and eaten 

 raw, with vinegar, as with salads. 



Cauliflower is an inflorescence of a species of cabbage. It is the 

 most delicate and digestible of all the cabbage products. 



Kale, another cabbage plant, has rather an acrid flavor, but is 

 delicate and easily digested. 



Brussels Sprouts are little clusters of leaves resembling cabbages 

 formed in the axils of the main leaves, and are very good, being deli- 

 cate in flavor and easily digested. 



Celery, either roots or blanched stems, are eaten raw, alone or 

 in salad, or used to flavor soups, or boiled with cream sauce. The 

 blanched stalks contain an aromatic oil, sugar, mucilage, starch, and 

 also manose sugar, which is also found in honey, and is strong stimulants 

 to the execretory organs. The daily use of celery as a salad is said to 

 remove nervousness and palpitation of the heart. Onions have also 

 the same effect and may be used when celery is out of season. It is 

 also used in rheumatic cases. This painful ailment will yield to the 

 continual use of celery, prepared in the following manner. 



Cut the celery into pieces and boil in water until soft. This 

 "stock" of water should be drunk by the patient. Put whole milk and 

 a little flour and a grating of nutmeg into a sauce pan with the boiled 

 celery ; bring to the boil, and serve hot with pieces of toast. 



Lettuce is cooling and easily digested. It is a blood purifier and 

 gently laxative in its action. The milky juice is somewhat narcotic and 

 is sometimes used as a sedative. 



Onions. All varieties are nutritious, and valuable as blood purifiers; 

 also stimulate digestion, and, like celery, are useful for nervousness. 

 "Personal equation" figures largely in the use of onions, as some per- 

 sons cannot tolerate them at all, while others eat them with apparent 

 relish. 



Gourds. In this group of vegetables we have pumpkins, vegetable 

 marrow, squash and egg plant, — all of them being easily digested, but 



