206 SALAD PLANTS. 



i 



produces numerous sprouts, or shoots, about the base of the 

 head. 



Cos Lettuces. These are quite distinct from the cabbage- 

 lettuces before described. The heads are long, erect, largest 

 at the top, and taper towards the root, the exterior leaves 

 clasping or coving over and around the head in the man- 

 ner of a hood, or cowl. As a class, they are remarkable 

 for hardiness and vigor ; but the midribs and nerves of the 

 leaves are coarse and hard, and most of the kinds will be 

 found inferior to the cabbage-lettuces in crispness and flavor. 

 They are ill adapted for cultivation in dry and hot weather, 

 and attain their greatest perfection only when grown in 

 spring or autumn, or in cool and humid seasons. 



Varieties : 



Alphangeor In the form of the head, and in its general 

 (Black- ' character, this variety resembles the White- 

 seeded. Both of the sorts are remarkable for 

 size, for hardiness, and healthy habit, for the length of time 

 they remain in head before running to seed, and for the 

 brittle and tender character of the ribs and nerves of the 

 leaves. 



Besides the difference in the color of the seeds, the head 

 of this variety is smaller, and the foliage paler, than that of 

 the White-seeded. 



Alphange or Head large, long, not compact, and forming 

 Florence Cos, . fe ' . F 



("White- we H on ly when the exterior leaves are tied 



M!^? Bora' looselv together. The midribs and nerves of 

 Cos - the leaves are large, but brittle, and of tender 



texture. A well-grown plant will weigh twelve ounces. 



It is ten or twelve days later than the Green Paris Cos, 

 retains its head well, is hardy and of healthy habit, but 

 is deficient in flavor, and inferior to either of the Paris 

 sorts. 



