THE FIELD AND GARDEN VEGETABLES OF AMERICA TEXT

undulated or waved on the borders, thin in texture, and of a soiled or tarnished light-green color; diameter fourteen inches; weight twelve to fifteen ounces; seeds white. This is a crisp and tender lettuce, though sometimes slightly bitter. It is not early, and soon shoots up to seed; but is quite hardy, and well adapted for winter cultivation. The Imperial Head, or Imperial Cabbage Lettuce, with white seeds, was at one period more generally cultivated in small gardens than any other variety; and though some of the recently introduced sorts excel it, not only in size, but in tender consistency and flavor, the Imperial is still extensively cultivated and much esteemed. With the exception of the color of its seeds, it resembles the Turkey Cabbage. INDIA. Large India. Head large, moderately compact; leaves large, with coarse and hard mid-ribs and veins. Its recommendation is its remarkable adaptedness to summer culture; as it withstands heat and drought, and retains its head to a remarkable degree before running to seed. For the table, it is inferior to many other sorts; although the large ribs and veins of the leaves are comparatively brittle, and of tender texture. LARGE BROWN CABBAGE OR MOGUL. Grosse brune paresseuse. _Vil._ Large Gray Cabbage. Mammoth. Head remarkably large, round, regularly formed, grayish-green, tinted or washed with reddish-brown at the top: the leaves not composing the head are large, plaited, coarsely blistered, of a grayish-green color, stained here and there with spots of pale-brown. The diameter of a well-grown plant is about fourteen inches, and its weight nearly a pound; seeds black. The Large Brown Cabbage Lettuce is crisp and tender, but is sometimes slightly bitter. Its season is near that of the Versailles; but it is slower in forming its head, and sooner runs to flower. It is hardy, good for forcing and well adapted for cultivation during winter. In summer, the heads are comparatively small, and loosely formed. LARGE RED CABBAGE. Rouge charteuse. _Vil._ Head green, washed with red, of medium size, regularly but loosely formed; the exterior leaves are large, undulated, blistered, and stained with brownish-red, like those of the head; diameter thirteen or fourteen inches; weight twelve ounces; seeds black. Its season is near that of the Large Brown Cabbage. When grown in warm weather, the head is small, and the plant soon runs to seed: in winter, the head is much larger, more solid, and longer retained. It resembles the Brown Dutch, but differs in the deeper color of the leaves. LARGE WINTER CABBAGE OR MADEIRA. Laitue passion. _Vil._ Head of medium size, regular in form, not compact, green, washed with red at the top: the leaves not composing the head are broad and large, a little undulated or waved on the border, plaited or folded at the base, thin in texture, somewhat blistered, and stained with spots of clear brown. When grown in winter, or in cool, moist weather, the plants will measure about a foot in diameter, and weigh nearly a pound. Seeds white. It is quite brittle, though not remarkable for tenderness of texture; hardy; succeeds well when grown in cold weather; and remains long in head before shooting up to seed. Season, the same with that of the Green Winter Cabbage. MALTA OR ICE CABBAGE. Ice Cos. Drumhead. White Cabbage. De Malte. _Vil._ In its general character, this variety resembles the White Silesian. The head is remarkably large, somewhat flattened, compact, pale-green without, and white at the centre; the outer leaves are large and broad, glossy-green, and coarsely blistered; the mid-ribs and nerves are large and prominent. The extreme diameter of a full-grown plant is about sixteen inches, and the weight from twenty to twenty-four ounces. The seeds are white. The variety heads readily, blanches naturally, and is crisp, tender, and well flavored. It is hardy, but not early; and remains long in head without running to seed. It is extensively cultivated in England; and in some localities succeeds better, and is of finer quality, than the White Silesian or Marseilles Cabbage. The name is derived from the glazed or polished surface of the leaves. NEAPOLITAN. Naples Cabbage. Plant dwarfish; head of large size, round, regularly formed, solid,--when in perfection, resembling a well-developed cabbage; the exterior leaves are broad and large, green, frilled on the margin, and coarsely blistered. If well grown, the plants will measure sixteen inches in diameter, and weigh from twenty to twenty-four ounces. Seeds white. The Neapolitan Lettuce blanches naturally, is well flavored, and so slow in the development of its flower-stalk, that the heads are sometimes artificially divided at the top to facilitate its growth, and to secure the seeds, a supply of which is always obtained with difficulty; as, aside from the tardiness of the plant in flowering, the yield is never abundant. It is not so good for forcing as many others, and must be classed as a summer rather than as a winter variety. PALATINE. _Vil._ Brown Cabbage. A variety of medium size, with a round, somewhat depressed head, stained with red about the top. The foliage is yellowish-green, strongly marked or clouded with brownish-red. Extreme diameter of the plant ten or eleven inches; weight about twelve ounces. The seeds are black. It is remarkably crisp and tender; of excellent flavor; yields a large quantity of salad in proportion to its size; flourishes well at all seasons, even during winter; and must be classed as one of the best, and recommended for general cultivation. SPOTTED CABBAGE (BLACK-SEEDED). Sanguine à graine noire. _Vil._ The heads of this variety are of medium size, round and regular in their form, and comparatively solid; the sides are brownish-red, but at the crowns the color is changed to clear, bright-red; the outer leaves are short, broad, and round, and strongly marked or clouded with brownish-red, like those composing the head. If grown in winter or in cool weather, the plants attain a diameter of about twelve inches, and will weigh twelve ounces. It retains its head longer than almost any other variety; and, though sometimes slightly bitter, is considered superior to the White-seeded. Compared with the last-named, the head is not so well formed, the foliage is deeper colored, and it is not so well adapted for forcing or for cultivation during winter. SPOTTED CABBAGE (WHITE-SEEDED). Sanguine à graine blanche. _Vil._ Head yellowish-green, spotted and clouded with brownish-red, of medium size, round and regular. The surplus leaves are small and numerous, round, prominently blistered, copper-green, streaked and variegated with brownish-red. Summer-grown plants will measure ten inches in diameter, and weigh about eight ounces. Winter-grown plants, or those grown in cool and moist weather, will give an increase of the diameter, and weigh nearly a pound. It is a brittle, well-flavored lettuce, hardy, and well adapted for growing in frames during winter. When grown in the summer months, the head is seldom well formed, and the plants soon run to seed. STONE TENNIS-BALL. Gotte lente à monter. _Vil._ Plant quite small, with a uniformly green, regular, solid head; all of the leaves to the heart being strongly wrinkled and coarsely blistered. The exterior leaves are comparatively few and small, green, undulated, and prominently blistered. Summer-grown plants measure six or seven inches in diameter, and weigh about three ounces. When grown early or late in the season, or under the influence of cool and moist weather, the plants attain a larger size; often measuring nine or ten inches in diameter, and weighing eight ounces. The seeds are black. The Stone Tennis-ball hearts well, is of excellent quality, and, in proportion to its size, yields a large quantity of salad. It retains its head a long period, even in warm weather, without shooting up to seed; and, as most of the leaves of the plant are embraced in the head, it occupies but a small space of ground in cultivation. Hardy and early. SUMMER CABBAGE. Large White Cabbage. Royal Cabbage. Summer Blond. _Vil._ Sugar Cabbage. Foliage pale yellowish-green; head of medium size, round, somewhat flattened, firm and close; the leaves composing it are wrinkled and blistered,--those of the outside being frequently torn and broken on the margins about the crown. The entire diameter of a well-grown plant is about twelve inches, and the weight from ten to twelve ounces. The seeds are white. It is one of the best sorts for summer cultivation, as it not only forms its head readily in warm and dry weather, but remains long in head before running to flower. For forcing, or for sowing early in the season, some other varieties would succeed better. Though sometimes slightly bitter, it is crisp, tender in texture, appears to be adapted to our climate, and is recommended for cultivation. TENNIS-BALL. Green Ball. Button. Capuchin. Hardy Hammersmith. _Vil._ One of the oldest and most esteemed of the Cabbage lettuces. The head is below medium size, dark-green, remarkably solid if grown in cool weather, but often loose and open-hearted if cultivated during the summer months; the surplus leaves are few in number, deep-green, slightly curled, and broadly, but not prominently, blistered; the seeds of the genuine variety are black. The Tennis-ball Lettuce is remarkable for its extreme hardiness. Winter-grown plants, or those raised in cool, moist weather, will measure about ten inches in diameter, and weigh eight ounces; whilst those raised under opposite conditions rarely exceed seven or eight inches in diameter, or weigh more than four or five ounces. It is slow in running to seed, and the head blanches white and tender. "It requires little room in frames in winter, and yields a great return in spring, as almost the whole plant is eatable." A large Cabbage Lettuce, tinted with brown about the head, is erroneously known in some localities as the "Tennis-ball." TURKEY CABBAGE. Similar to the Imperial Head; the principal if not the only difference consisting in the color of the seeds, which are black. VERSAILLES. _Vil._ Swedish. Blond Versailles. Sugar-lettuce. Head pale yellowish-green, large, long, and compactly formed; the exterior leaves are large, numerous, wrinkled, and coarsely blistered. When in its greatest perfection, the extreme diameter of the whole plant is about fourteen inches, and its weight twelve or fourteen ounces. The seeds are white. This variety forms its head quickly and uniformly; cabbages white and crisp; is slow in shooting up to seed; flourishes in almost every description of soil, and at all seasons, except, perhaps, in extreme cold; and, though sometimes slightly bitter to the taste, is crisp, tender, and of good quality. With the exception of its paler color, it resembles the Neapolitan. It is one of the best of all varieties for summer cultivation. VICTORIA OR RED-BORDERED. _Vil._ An excellent early and hardy variety. The head is of medium size, tinted or washed with red at the top, round and regular in form, and comparatively solid; leaves large, yellowish-green, wrinkled, and blistered. If grown in summer, the plants measure eight or nine inches in diameter, and weigh four ounces. In cool weather, the plants attain a diameter of twelve inches, and weigh from ten to twelve ounces; seeds white. The Victoria Lettuce is larger than the Tennis-ball, heads freely, and is crisp and well flavored. When sown in summer, it soon runs to flower; but, in cool weather, the heads are well retained. WHITE GOTTE (BLACK-SEEDED). _Vil._ A small, low-growing, yellowish-green Cabbage Lettuce, with a comparatively loose head. The plants rarely measure more than six inches in their full diameter, or weigh above four ounces. It is one of the earliest of all the lettuces, crisp, of good flavor, and well adapted for forcing or for frame culture. Besides the distinction in the color of the seeds, it differs from the White-seeded White Gotte in its smaller and more loosely formed heads. WHITE GOTTE (WHITE-SEEDED). _Vil._ White Tennis-ball. This variety has a small, long, firm, and close head; and is uniformly of a yellowish-green color. The outer leaves are small, light greenish-yellow, waved on the borders, and prominently blistered. The plant is of small dimensions; rarely measuring more than six or seven inches in diameter, or weighing above three ounces. The variety is early, crisp, and well flavored, but soon runs to seed, and is much better adapted for growing in winter, or for forcing, than for cultivation in the summer months. WHITE SILESIAN, OR WHITE BATAVIAN. _Vil._ Drumhead Cabbage. Large Drumhead. Spanish. One of the largest of the Cabbage lettuces. Head golden-green, tinted with brownish-red about the top, regularly but not compactly formed. The outer leaves are large and broad, yellowish-green, bordered with brown, wrinkled, and coarsely blistered. When well grown, the entire diameter of the plant is about eighteen inches, and its weight twenty ounces. The seeds are white. This variety appears to be adapted to all seasons. It is hardy, retains its head well, withstands heat and drought, blanches white and crisp, and is of excellent flavor. It succeeds well in frames; but, on account of its large size, is not a profitable sort for forcing. A variety, known as the "Tennis-ball" in some localities, is very similar to this; and the "Boston Cabbage" of New England, if not identical, seems to be but an improved form of the White Silesian. WHITE STONE CABBAGE. Large Golden Summer Cabbage. Head of medium size, yellowish-green, stained with brownish-red, firm and solid. When fully developed, the entire diameter of the plant is about fourteen inches, and its weight sixteen ounces. The seeds are white. This lettuce is brittle, of tender texture and good quality, though it is sometimes slightly bitter. It is hardy, heads readily, is slow in running to flower, succeeds well in warm and dry weather, and is also well adapted for frame-culture or for forcing. YELLOW-SEEDED BROWN DUTCH. _Vil._ White Dutch. American Brown Dutch. Head of medium size, yellowish-green, variegated with red, rounded at the top, and tapering to a point at the base; compact; seeds yellow. A half-early sort, of good quality, hardy, and well adapted for winter culture, or for sowing early in spring. It somewhat resembles the Black-seeded Brown Dutch: but, apart from the difference in the color of the seeds, its foliage is more blistered, and more colored with red; and the plant produces numerous sprouts, or shoots, about the base of the head. * * * * * COS LETTUCES. These are quite distinct from the Cabbage lettuces before described. The heads are long, erect, largest at the top, and taper towards the root,--the exterior leaves clasping or coving over and around the head in the manner of a hood, or cowl. As a class, they are remarkable for hardiness and vigor; but the midribs and nerves of the leaves are comparatively coarse and hard, and most of the kinds will be found inferior to the Cabbage lettuces in crispness and flavor. They are ill adapted for cultivation in dry and hot weather; and attain their greatest perfection only when grown in spring or autumn, or in cool and humid seasons. _Varieties._-- ALPHANGE OR FLORENCE COS (BLACK-SEEDED). _Vil._ In the form of the head, and in its general character, this variety resembles the White-seeded. Both of the sorts are remarkable for size, for hardiness and healthy habit, for the length of time they remain in head before running to seed, and for the brittle and tender character of the ribs and nerves of the leaves. Besides the difference in the color of the seeds, the head of this variety is smaller, and the foliage paler, than that of the White-seeded. ALPHANGE OR FLORENCE COS (WHITE-SEEDED). _Vil._ Magnum Bonum Cos. Head large, long, not compact, and forming well only when the exterior leaves are tied loosely together. The midribs and nerves of the leaves are large, but brittle, and of tender texture. It is ten or twelve days later than the Green Paris Cos, retains its head well, is hardy and of healthy habit, but is deficient in flavor, and inferior to either of the Paris sorts. ARTICHOKE-LEAVED. _Vil._ This variety forms no head; and, in its foliage and general habit, is quite distinct from all of the Cos varieties. The leaves are numerous, twelve or fourteen inches long; of a lively-green color, often stained with brownish-red; erect, narrow, pointed, and toothed on the margin, like those of the Artichoke. Before blanching, the leaves are slightly bitter; but mild, crisp, and tender, with no savor of bitterness, after being blanched. The seeds are black. The plant grows uprightly, groups its leaves together, and thus blanches the interior parts spontaneously; but a much larger portion will be fit for use, if the leaves are collected, and tied loosely about the tips in the manner of treating Cos lettuces. It is remarkably hardy, slow in running to flower, and the seeds may be sown till August. Late in the season, it is mild and pleasant, and furnishes a tender salad when most of the Cos lettuces become bitter and strong-flavored. BATH GREEN COS. _M'Int._ This variety has much merit as a hardy, winter, green sort; and is nearly related to the Brown Cos, but is less brown on the outer leaves: but, while that has white seeds, the seeds of this variety are black. Hence there are found, upon the catalogues of seedsmen, Black-seeded Bath, or Brown Cos; and White-seeded Bath, or Brown Cos; the latter seeming to be the hardiest, while the former appears to be the best. BROWN COS. Bath Cos. Sutton's Berkshire Brown Cos. Wood's Improved Bath Cos. Bearfield Cos. White-seeded Brown Cos. This is one of the oldest of the Cos lettuces, and considered the hardiest of the class. The head is of large size, pointed, not compact, and requires to be tied in order to obtain it in its greatest perfection; the leaves are of a copper-green color, stiff and firm, toothed and blistered; the seeds are white. The Brown Cos blanches white and tender, and is exceedingly crisp and well flavored; but the dark-brownish color of the exterior leaves is deemed an objection, and it is often displaced by really inferior varieties. In weight and measurement, it differs little from the Green Paris Cos. Extensively cultivated and much esteemed in England. GRAY PARIS COS. _Vil._ Head of the form of an inverted cone; green, with a grayish tone about the top; compact, and forming well without tying. The exterior leaves are numerous, deep-green, erect, firm, and prominently blistered. The full diameter of the plant is nearly twelve inches, and its weight about twenty ounces; the seeds are white. The Gray Paris Cos is brittle, and of tender texture; but is considered inferior to the other Paris Cos sorts, and is but little cultivated. GREEN PARIS COS. _Vil._ Kensington Cos. Sutton's Superb Green Cos. Wellington. Ady's Fine Large. Head inversely conical, compact; leaves deep-green, erect, firm, hooded or cowl-formed towards the ends, and serrated on the margin; the ribs and nerves are large and prominent. When fully grown, the entire diameter of the plant is fifteen or sixteen inches, and its weight twenty-four ounces; the seeds are white. It is considered one of the best of the Cos lettuces; and, though not so hardy as the Brown Cos, is a good variety for forcing, and furnishes a tender, well-flavored head during summer. Whether for spring, summer, or autumn, it is an excellent sort. It attains a large size, is of a fine green color, and, "from the manner in which the outer leaves cove over the interior ones, blanches well without having to be tied together." It has a tender, brittle leaf; is some days earlier than the White