CHAPTER V 

 Lettuce 



The wild prickly lettuce grows as a tall, ragged- 

 looking weed along our roadsides, and springs up 

 in fields whenever they lie fallow, or are not care- 

 fully cultivated. We call it the " compass plant," 

 because its narrow, opposite leaves hold true to 

 the points of the compass. The blades avoid the 

 full force of the sun by turning edgewise to its 

 rays. Break off a spray of the narrow-necked, 

 daisy-like flowers, and the family name, Com- 

 posite?, is plain. The Latin name of the lettuce, 

 Lactuca, refers to the milky juice. It has medic- 

 inal properties that soothe and sometimes induce 

 sleep. A lettuce salad and a combination of 

 lettuce and celery are good for tired nerves. 



The wild lettuce looks over the garden fence, 

 or the frame of the hotbed, at rows of green heads 

 of cabbage lettuce, solid yet tender, the crumpled 

 outer leaves covering the blanched heart — a 

 sight the gardeners gloats over — the most popular 

 salad plant in the world! 



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