30 CULTIVATED VEGETABLES. 



large, that three heads would weigh a pound, 

 and were sold for an As, (about three-far- 

 things.) He afterwards says, "of all garden 

 herbs asparagus is (by report) the best to be 

 eaten, and agrees well with the stomach."* 

 The wild asparagus was called Corruda and 

 Lybicum, and by the Athenians, Horminium. 



It was said by the ancients, that, if a per- 

 son anointed himself with a liniment made 

 of asparagus and oil, the bees would not ap- 

 proach or sting him. 



Asparagus is said to promote appetite, but 

 affords little nourishment. Dr. James recom- 

 mends it to be eaten at the beginning of dinner, 

 when, he tells us, it is grateful to the stomach. 

 If eaten before dinner, it refreshes and opens 

 the liver, spleen, and kidneys, and puts the 

 body in an agreeable state. Asparagus is 

 considered to be of admirable service to those 

 afflicted with the gravel, or who are scorbutic 

 or dropsical. It is also of singular efficacy in 

 disorders of the eyes ; but is hurtful to such 

 as labour under the gout, or have weak sto- 

 machs. 



The roots are more diuretic than the 

 sprouts, because they have more of the salt, 



* Book 20, chap. 10. 



