LETTUCE. 213 



with earth raised a few inches. Early in the following spring 

 prepare a bed similar to that intended for asparagus, dig- 

 ging the soil at least fifteen inches deep. Set out the plants, 

 about two feet apart, the crown of each root being placed 

 about two inches below the level of the bed. The beds 

 will continue to produce as long as those of asparagus, 

 and like this are greatly improved by applications of salt 

 and brine. The plants should not be allowed to go to 

 seed. This vegetable is in season from Christmas to 

 April. 



Salads, SfC. 



Lettuce (Lactuca saliva) is a hardy annual, but of 

 what country it is a native is unknown. Some suppose it 

 to be a seminal variety of the native L. virosa, a poisonous 

 plant, " which," says Professor Lindley, " would not be 

 more remarkable than the fact that the indigenous celery is 

 one of our strongest poisons." Besides its well-known 

 uses, it may be mentioned that the late Dr. Dundan, Senior, 

 of Edinburgh, prepared from its milky juice a medicine 

 denominated Lactucarium, similar in its action to opium, 

 but capable of being administered in cases where idiosyn- 

 cratic repugnance rendered that powerful drug inadmissi- 

 ble. There are two principal varieties, the Cos or upright, 

 and the round-headed or Cabbage lettuce. The subvarie- 

 ties are numerous ; we may mention the following : — 



By proper care, fresh lettuce may be had throughout the 



