LETTUCE. Lactuea saliva. Lettuce is a hardy annual of which the original country seems to be unknown, but thought to be a native of Asia. It has been found wild in many different parts of the world, and was first cultivated in England about the year 1562. It is divided into two families, called the Cos and the Cabbage let tuces. The first, distinguished by an upright growth—was introduced from the island of Cos; and the second—the habits of which are some what indicated by its name—from Egypt. Our elhuate is not altogether favorable to the Cos family. The botanical term Loci u ea is derived from Ear, the Latin word for milk, in allusion to the milky juice which exudes from the stein when broken. This juice when the plants are young, contains but a small quantity of the narcotic principle; but it gradually acquires a strong, bitter taste, and becomes nota bly sedative. This property seems to have been known at a very early period, and a lettuce sup per was thought highly conducive to repose. Lettuce can only be grown tb perfection in a rich, mellow soil, and one cool and moist. Hence it
is always best in the West, when started in a cold frame and transplanted to the open air as soon as danger of hard frosts are over. It may be transplanted when it has only three or four leaves, or when it has formed six or seven. For succession the seed may be sown in a warm bor der, and again in the open garden in rows twelve inches apart, allowing the plants to stand finally six inches apart in the row. When it is to be transplanted set the plants six inches apart every way, take out every other row as may be required for use, and again alternate plants in the remaining rows, allowing the plants to stand twelve by twelve inches, when, if the soil be rich enough and plenty of moisture be present, they will form handsome heads completely covering the ground. Among the cabbage lettuces, the White Silesian is the one generally cultivated, and all things considered one of the best.