LETTUCE. 14-3 



others of upright growth, whether they come from 

 that country or any other. 



Few or no lettuces, as far as we can trace, were 

 cultivated in this country before the early reign of 

 Elizabeth, 1562, who, as before observed, was ob- 

 liged to send to Holland for salads and other vege- 

 tables. In a few years after the above date, as 

 gardening was getting more out of its infancy, 

 many varieties of the lettuce were cultivated by some 

 of the market gardeners in t'he vicinity of London, 

 and above seventy years ago the author recollects 

 seeing fine Cos lettuce sold about London streets. 

 During the last century, from the care bestowed 

 on its cultivation, this vegetable has been progres- 

 sively improving, and some of the finest lettuces 

 may be seen in the full season in most of the prin- 

 cipal markets throughout the kingdom. 



Some good qualities are assigned to the lettuce. 

 For instance, it is cooling and soporific ; so that 

 in the decline of age, which is naturally wakeful, 

 the use of lettuce is recommended. 



Lettuce is emollient and easy of digestion, but 

 not very nutritious. But though lettuces are very 

 good for persons of strong stomachs and good di- 

 gestion, they are injurious to cold, weak tempera- 

 ments, as well as to persons of a melancholic dis- 

 position ; and, except they are used for a medicinal 

 purpose, they are more wholesome in summer than 

 in winter. Lettuce, in many instances, allayed 

 thirst, and the fumes of wine ; and is, altogether, 

 the best vegetable of the salad kind grown in the 

 open ground. 



Many are the varieties which have been intro- 



