LENTILS 
The Lentil {Ervum lens) is an annual plant, a native 
of southern Europe, largely cultivated in the warmer 
countries and certainly a most valuable vegetable in a 
dried state, being exceedingly nutritious and one that 
can be eaten by invalids. It is not much cultivated in 
this country, at least in private gardens, and though by 
many persons the seeds are considered indigestible, a 
great deal depends upon the cooking ; indeed this plant 
supplies the valuable Revalenta arabica of commerce, a 
food of great value. The plant is also much grown 
near Paris and the large towns of France, and in that 
country is largely used as food. The outer skin is very 
hard, and this got rid of, there is no question of its value 
as food, as then it is nutritious and may be used for 
soups and is cooked in various ways. In habit it some- 
what resembles the Pea, to which it is closely allied, 
and has the same nourishing properties when the seeds 
are ripe and fit for use. I have no knowledge of this 
plant being grown for use when in the green state. 
I have seen it used in a partially ripe state for soups, 
I mean before the pod hardened, but I should prefer 
Marrow Peas to Lentils, and doubtless its value is in 
its dried state and its long keeping properties. I have 
kept seed for three years after gathering. By hanging 
up the haulm in a cool, dry shed, the seeds keep 
well in the husk or pod. The pod is much shorter 
than the ordinary Pea, having a blunt end. The plant 
thrives best in a light, warm, or well drained soil, not too 
rich, as in the latter it makes a straggling growth and 
