274 On Chrome BehUlfij 



tends, decidedly the best. This observation would doubt- 

 less be thought a very strange one, by many of the inhab- 

 itants of tlie city of New- York, and of other places. The 

 reason is this. All or almost all the asparagus sold in 

 the markets of that, and several other towns, is cut in 

 such a manner as to ruin it. That part only, or chiefly, 

 is cut, which is below the surface of the ground, and this 

 is always tough and bitter. That "part only, which is 

 above the surface, is fit to be eaten. This, when the 

 weather is not very cool, and the growth of the plant 

 therefore very slov/, is always tender, if the root is of suf- 

 ficient age. It should be cut just at the surface, when 

 the plant is six inches high. It is surprising that so 

 healthy, palatable, and productive a vegetable, should be 

 so little cultivated, throughout our country, especially 

 when vv'c consider, tliat it comes at a time when few oth- 

 er vegetables can be had. 



Summer beets and turnips, and summer and winter 

 squashes, are usually easy of digestion. Of the last ve- 

 getable, the varieties being very numerous, and the qual- 

 ities very different, pains should be taken to procure the 

 best. Very good potatoes are usually sufficiently digest- 

 ible, while those of a contrary character, often turn sour. 

 The magic onion having the least of the peculiar odour, 

 of that class of vegetables, and being very tender, often 

 gives no trouble, v/hen it is eaten without butter, or any 

 other dressing, except salt and pepper. It is far superi- 

 or to any other species of onion, with which I am ac- 

 quainted ; and has not been cultivated, I believe, till ve- 

 ry lately y in any part of Nevv -England, east of New-Ha- 

 ven,, or at least to a very small extent only. Tender 

 bean pods-, or what are usually termed stringed beans,, 

 are remarkably easy of digestion, and rarely give trouble 

 to dyspeptics, except in severe cases. Shelled beans 

 and peas are much less safe, and usually are made far 

 more difficult of digestion than is necessary^ by being 

 eaten when old and tough, and with much melted but- 

 ter. Maize boiled, or roasted, when it is young, tender, 

 and succulent, is usually not only highly palatable, but 

 safe and pleasant to the stomach ; but when old and 

 tough, it becomes highly, if not absolutely indigestible. 



