LENTILS 



THE Lentil (Ervum lens) is an annual plant, a native 

 of southern Europe, largely cultivated in the warmer 

 countries and certainly a most valuable vegetable in a 

 dried state, being exceedingly nutritious and one that 

 can be eaten by invalids. It is not much cultivated in 

 this country, at least in private gardens, and though by 

 many persons the seeds are considered indigestible, a 

 great deal depends upon the cooking ; indeed this plant 

 supplies the valuable Revalenta arabica of commerce, a 

 food of great value. The plant is also much grown 

 near Paris and the large towns of France, and in that 

 country is largely used as food. The outer skin is very 

 hard, and this got rid of, there is no question of its value 

 as food, as then it is nutritious and may be used for 

 soups and is cooked in various ways. In habit it some- 

 what resembles the Pea, to which it is closely allied, 

 and has the same nourishing properties when the seeds 

 are ripe and fit for use. I have no knowledge of this 

 plant being grown for use when in the green state. 

 I have seen it used in a partially ripe state for soups, 

 I mean before the pod hardened, but I should prefer 

 Marrow Peas to Lentils, and doubtless its value is in 

 its dried state and its long keeping properties. I have 

 kept seed for three years after gathering. By hanging 

 up the haulm in a cool, dry shed, the seeds keep 

 well in the husk or pod. The pod is much shorter 

 than the ordinary Pea, having a blunt end. The plant 

 thrives best in a light, warm, or well drained soil, not too 

 rich, as in the latter it makes a straggling growth and 



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