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.