THE NEGLECT OF VEGETABLES
To the Editor of the .
Sia,—Ambassador Walter . Page . remarked in his diary.: " In this aquarium in which we live (it rains every day) they have only three vegetables and two of them are cabbages.'? In common with other somewhat exaggerated phrases, the observation contains a substantial element of truth. A friend, who has lived, much abroad, recently determined to make an effort to stimulate interest among his neighbours in the cultivation of vegetables. The first step was the sending of an exhibit of little-known varieties to the local flower show. So encouraging was the response that his wife and himself decided to offer a prize on the iseist occasion. With a view to preparing the ground, a lecture-demonstration on Uncommon Vegetables " was arranged, at which addresses were given from the points of view of health, of the housewife and lastly, of the gardener. A distribution of seed followed. The competition takes place this summer, when exhibitors are required to show not less than three of the following : -Sugar peas, or mange foul, purslane, kolrabi, Italian fennel, globe or French artichoke, seakale beet (this provides two dishes from the same root at a season when the supply is nommily short);celeriae, yellow tomato, golden-podded French bean and the cultivated mushroom.
I shall be happy to be of service to those—a growing number, who are alive to the profound influence, alike upon the maintenance of health and in combating disease, which an intelligent use of vegetables may exert.—! am, Sir, &e.,
CHAS. E. HECHT
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