216 CULTIVATED VEGETABLES. 



the earth to a depth seldom reached by the 

 frost : it rarely, if ever, suffers by the winter. 



The Author experienced this benefit in his 

 garden after the winter of 1819, when every 

 species of vegetable was killed by the severity 

 of the weather: the sorrel soon returned from 

 its winter quarters, and afforded an agreeable 

 supply, before spinach or cabbage-sprouts 

 could be procured ; and by keeping it regu- 

 larly cut, so that it was not exhausted by 

 running to seed, he kept it in perfection, not 

 only during the summer, but until after 

 Christmas. 



It is acid and cooling ; grateful to the 

 stomach, quenches thirst, allays the heat of 

 choler, and is an excellent anti-scorbutic. It 

 tempers the circulation of the blood, and 

 thickens, or sweetens, according to circum- 

 stances ; it is said to be good in pestilential 

 or intermitting fevers. 



Dale tells us, that sorrel is one of the 

 principal cardiacs and hepatics, resists pu- 

 trefaction, creates an appetite, represses bile, 

 and allays thirst; whence it is most frequently 

 given in common and pestilential fevers. 



Boerhaave says, this plant is excellent for 

 hot, lax, putrid constitutions, abounding with 

 bile. The same author says, a decoction 



