The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1848-09-12
FACTS ABOUT VEGETABLES.
THEIR ORIGIN AND USE.

l THEIR ORIGIN AND USE.
The LETTUCE is SO named from the
Latin word lac, on account Of the milky
Juice yielded by il in abundance. Lettuce
is considered very healthy, especially in the
Of all the warm and temperate laIitudes nf
the globe. The leading cabbaging kinds
were originally introduced from Egypt; those
of upright growth, from The Irland of Co.'S
hence the name Of Cos Lettuce, applied to
all the sorts that approach that character .....
Some of the varieties Of the plant have been
extensively cultivated for opium preparations
the plant is allowed to shoot up, for sucl,
purposes, until just on the eve of Towering,
when the top is cut of, in the afernoon.--
In thiriy-six hours, when brown crust is
found on the wounded part of the stem,
which is carefully collected. The stem is
again cut, and repeatedly, ill the plan, ceas-
es to yield its milky substance. ....Lettuce
is undoubtedly the best of the saladng veg
eiables; many varieties are culIiva ed in Eu-
rope, aud no! few in this country, but sew
eral kinds there are not adapted to our high
and dry temperatures ."...Letiicus, or Lambs
Lettuce, is a native of Europe, and cullva-
ted as a spring salad, but in France they fire.
quenlly dress it as Spinach. 1t is so termed
from its having been in repute as an early
feed for lambs.
The MELON is 10 be found, in some char
acter, in all tropical countries, but the finest
varieties are supposed TO have como from
Persia and Afghanis,an. Has been cultiva-
ted for nearly 400 years, and in the south of
that continent it constitutes, in its season,
the principal part Of the food of the lower
classes--proving at once its wholesome and
nutrition.
The flesh Of well-grown melon is deli
cious, as every body knows. People eat il
all manner of ways:--some with nothing;
some with salt, ginger, and even pepper
bu, commend US to fine and plump individ-
ual of the species, bursting with juicy luxuri-
ance, laid for an hour in ice, and then eaten
with finely powdered loaf.sugar. 1t is both
cooling and exceedingly comfortable, al the
same time it is neither I waste of time nor
money---unless, indeed, you are foolish
enough TO try partake of such luxdries in a
" crack clearinghouse, where, If you are
; moi careful ofyour appetite. as we once heard
the mistress of such an establishment say
" there won, be enough TO 60 round!"
There are something like halfa dozen va
reiies Of the melon, not including the
Water concerns, from which may our inner
man be delivered. These are the Musk
formerly extensively cultivated for its produc-
tive qualities, but now giving way TO superi.
or varieties--,he early Cantaloupe, so named
from village near old Rome, where it has
grown for centuries, and thence distributed
10 this Western World--the Melted Citron
familiar TO all--and the Rock Melon. of an
oval-lound shape, with large white excres-
Genes or rocky appearances therein; hence
its name. Flesh solid, of yellowish color
rich and melting, IN size equal 10 the others
The Water Melon is purely tropica
fruit, wisely adapted, perhaps, to the wants
Of its observation-disclosures of those regions
lis juice is to them a grateful beverage in
the warm weather. 1t is in no way nutri
cous, however. The Jerseys cultivate them
extensively for this and the Philadelphia mar
ket. They can be seen any Tuesday or Sat
urday by the sloop-load at the docks just be
; hind Washington Market, throughout almos
the whole summer.
MINT. There are several varieties Of Mint
but the one most commonly known is the
Green or Spear-Mint, from its long aud poin.
: ted leaves. Used, while green, in sauces
, salads, frequently in soups, s,and--in juleps.--
When dried and taken as tea, il is very eff
cacious in stomach-ailings, far SURPRISING an,
alcoholic preparation. 1t is perennia
plant, and propagated by the roots in spring.
} MUSHROOM.--The Mushroom has at
forded wide field Of speculation for bota
nis,s and naturalists, who have disputed of it
perfec, character or otherwise, the peculia
:. method of its propagation and growth, ant
7 its close assimilation IN taste to animal mat
ter. The growth and formation Of this hum
BILE plant are the most remarkable of any il
the Whole Vegetable Kingdom. They car
: be grown in cellars, sheds, stables, or any
: such buildings where they will be protected
b Where it is intended 10 cultivate them pei
manen,ly, covered shed will be found tn
most convenient place 10 perform the neces
> sary work.
= Mushrooms areextenslvely used for maxim
: ca,sup, (eseemed as picklc) and by som
o are considered very delicious when sirewe
1 with rich gravies When set before us, how
. ever, an involuntary thought of what kind
things they are, impels US respectfully TO d
= cline partakingl They are extensively Gu
n tivated in Europe, particularly in Britain