LOVE APPLE. 153 



In about three weeks after the plants are put out, 

 the spaces left between should be filled up with 

 mould, similar to that which formed the hillocks. 

 After pressing it gently down with the hand, the 

 lights may be kept almost continually close ; and, 

 within two months after the seed is sown, there 

 probably will be some well-cabbaged lettuce for use. 

 Where a continual supply is wanted, a bed should 

 be made every month until April, the culture vary- 

 ing according to the season. 



Pits have been recommended for the cultivation 

 of this kind of lettuce ; and the author thinks, with 

 judicious management, they might succeed, if filled 

 up to the curb on which the frame rests with short 

 wood, chopped turf, &c. ; but, as he never raised 

 lettuce by this means, he cannot speak practically 

 about it, 



30. LOVE APPLE. SOLANUM. 



Solanum Lycopersicum. The botanic name so- 

 lanum is derived from its being a species of the 

 nightshade (a poisonous herb) ; lycopersicum sig- 

 nifies the wolf's peach. 



The Love Apple, more generally known in Eng- 

 land by the name of tomato (the Spanish name), is 

 a native of South America ; and was early intro- 

 duced by the Spaniards into Europe, and by the 

 French into this country in the year 1596. 



Our forefathers would have shuddered to have 

 observed the fruit eaten with such avidity as it is 

 by many persons at the present day ; but so it is, 

 that the fruit and root of o.ne of our most poison- 



