54 THE BOOK OF RARER VEGETABLES 



fails to pod freely. There can be no doubt but that the 

 best produce is secured from plants given field culture, as 

 here in an open position the growth is firmer and 



a better bloom 

 secured. In a close 

 garden with a rich 

 root run I do not 

 advise their culture, 

 though I have seen 

 good results on 

 sloping banks, the 

 seeds being sown 

 so that the plants 

 had free exposure. 

 As regards the cul- 

 ture for seeds in a 

 dried state on a 

 very small scale, 

 seed is best sown 

 in the spring, March 

 or April is the most 

 suitable month, and 

 the seed is best 

 sown in drills 2 feet 

 apart and not sown 

 thickly. The stalks 

 will change colour 



as the seeds or pods reach maturity ; the latter change 

 to a dark colour and may then be pulled up and dried in 

 the sun for a few days, turning over daily to get rid of 

 any moisture, taking care to give the haulm a dry, cool 

 place free of drip when storing. The Lentils may be 

 thrashed out later when required for use. 



To COOK LENTILS 



Having been soaked in cold water for eight or ten 

 hours, Lentils are cooked by placing in cold water and 



LARGE YELLOW LENTIL 



(One-tenth natural size ; detached branch, 

 natural size) 



