COS LETTUCES. 363 



size, for hardiness and healthy habit, for the length of time 

 they remain in head before running to seed, and for the 

 brittle and tender character of the ribs and nerves of the 

 leaves. 



Besides the difference in the color of the seeds, the head 

 of this variety is smaller, and the foliage paler, than that of 

 the White-seeded. 



Head large, long, not compact, and forming Alphange or 



Florence Cos. 

 well only when the exterior leaves are tied (White- 



seeded.) vu. 



loosely together. The midribs and nerves of MAGJOJM 



Cos. 



the leaves are large, but brittle, and of tender 

 texture. 



It is ten or twelve days later than the Green Paris Cos, 

 retains its head well, is hardy and of healthy habit, but 

 is deficient in flavor, and inferior to either of the Paris 

 sorts. 



This variety forms no head, and, in its foliage Artichoke- 

 and general habit, is quite distinct from all of 

 the Cos varieties. The leaves are numerous, twelve or 

 fourteen inches long, of a lively-green color, often stained 

 with brownish-red ; erect, narrow, pointed, and toothed on 

 the margin, like those of the Artichoke. Before blanching, 

 the leaves are slightly bitter, but mild, crisp, and tender, 

 with no savor of bitterness after being blanched. The 

 seeds are black. 



The plant grows uprightly, groups its leaves together, and 

 thus blanches the interior parts spontaneously ; but a much 

 larger portion will be fit for use if the leaves are collected 

 and tied loosely about the tips in the manner of treating Cos 

 Lettuces. 



It is remarkably hardy, slow in running to flower, and the 

 seeds may be sown till August. Late in the season, it is mild 



