LETTUCE. 221 



however, it is desired, the seed is sown broadcast, about 

 the beginning of June, in a cool situation, and the young 

 plants are merely thinned and kept clear of weeds. On 

 the approach of frost, the roots, which somewhat re- 

 semble small radishes, are stored in sand, and will keep 

 fresh and firm till spring. 



Salads. 



Lettuce {Lactuca sativa) is a hardy annual, but of 

 what country it is a native is unknown. Some suppose 

 it to be a seminal variety of the native L. virosa^ a poi- 

 sonous plant, "which," says Professor Lindley, ''would 

 not be more remarkable than the fact that the indigenous 

 celery is one of our strongest poisons." Besides its 

 well-known uses, it may be mentioned that the late Dr. 

 Dundan, Senior, of Edinburgh, prepared from its milky 

 juice a medicine denominated Lactucarium, similar in 

 its action to opium, but capable of being- administered 

 in cases where idiosyncratic repugnance rendered that 

 .powerful drug inadmissible. There are two principal 

 varieties, the Cos or upright, and the round-lieaded or 

 Cabbage lettuce. The subvarieties are numerous : we 

 may mention the following :^— 



Upright. Round. 



Black-seeded Cos. White Cabbage. 



Bath Cos. Brown Dutch. 



White Cos. Marseilles. 



Crov.-n Cos. Grand Admirable. 



By proper care, fresh lettuce may be had tliroughout 

 the whole year. The first sowing is made in January, 

 in some sheltered situation, or under hand-glasses, or 

 in February on a gentle hotbed. The seedlings are 

 transplanted as soon as the weather will permit. A 



