LETTUCE. 65 



the extremity of the leaves. Both these operations are done 

 for convenience and neatness in planting. Dibble them in 

 the drills eight inches apart, and as deep as the plant will ad- 

 mit of, not to cover the young leaves pushing from its centre 

 Choose moist or cloudy weather for the operation ; but if dry, 

 give the plants a copious watering. Hoe the ground frequently, 

 to keep down weeds ; and as the plants are observed to grow, 

 draw the soil around them. By good culture, they will bo 

 fit for use early in October. On the approach of severe frost, 

 lift sufficient for Winter use, and store them away in earth or 

 sand. 



LETTUCE. 



Lactuca sativa. Laitue^ Fr. Garlensalat : Ger. 



THIS plant is named from the Latin word lac, on account of 

 the milky juice with which it abounds. It is considered very 

 healthy, especially in the Spring of the year. There are some 

 of the family natives of all the warm and temperate latitudes 

 of the globe. The leading cabbaging kinds were originally in- 

 troduced from Egypt ; those of upright growth, from the 

 Island of Cos : hence the name of Cos Lettuce is applied to all 

 the sorts that approach that character. Some of the varieties 

 have been extensively cultivated for opium preparations. The 

 plant is allowed to shoot up till just on the eve of flowering, 

 when the top is cut off in the afternoon. In thirty-six hours 

 there is a brown crust found on the wounded part of the stem, 

 which is carefully collected. The stem is again cut, and re- 

 peatedly, till the plant ceases to yield its milky substance. 

 It is unquestionably the best of the salading vegetables. 

 Many varieties are cultivated in Europe, and not a few in this 

 country ; but several kinds grown there are not adapted to our 

 high and dry temperatures. The following cabbaging sorts 

 are the best cultivated at the present time. 



