LETTUCE. 



231 



Laduca Sativa — Lettuce. 



The botanical name of this plant is derived from lac, the 

 Latin word for milk, on account of its milkj juice. It is 

 an annual hardy plant, of which the cabbage varieties 

 probably originated in Egypt, The Cos lettuce, how- 

 ever, came from the Greek island of Cos, in the Levant. 

 It has been cultivated in England since 1562. 



Of the two great families of lettuce, the Cos varieties, 

 which grow upright and of an oblong shape, and require 

 blanching, though more esteemed in England, do not, unless 

 sown early in October, succeed so well in this country. 

 The cabbage varieties are more hardy and free growing, 

 and better adapted to our common gardens. The follow- 

 ing have proved excellent with me : — 



Butter or Early Callage. — Heads small, white, crisp, 

 and closely cabbaged ; leaves pale yellowish green ; ex- 

 cellent for hot-bed culture, as well as open air ; early and 

 hardy. 



Broivn Dutch (yellow seeded). — Heads much larger; 

 equally tender and excellent, and closely headed; with 

 brownish green leaves. Will stand any frost, without pro- 

 tection. 



About two weeks after these, if sown at the same time, 

 will come into use the next three varieties : — 



Royal Callage. — Black seed; heads larger, and leaves 

 of a darker green than the early cabbage ; equally firm 

 and crisp. 



Philadelphia Callage. — Of the same season, and equally 

 good. 



Victoria Callage. — Withstands the heat rather better 

 than the two preceding, and produces large white, crisp 

 heads ; perhaps the most desirable of the three. 



After these come on :— 



