annual plant, with an erect, angular, branching stem a foot and
a half high. The leaves are winged, with about six pairs of narrow
leaflets, and terminate in a divided tendril, or clasper; the flowers
are small, numerous, and generally produced in pairs; the pods are
somewhat quadrangular, flattened, usually in pairs, and enclose one or
two round, lens-like seeds, the size and color varying in the different
varieties,--about four hundred and fifty are contained in an ounce, and
their power of germination is retained three years.

_Cultivation._--"The soil best adapted for the Lentil is that of a dry,
light, calcareous, sandy nature."

When cultivated as green food for stock, it should be sown broadcast;
but, if grown for ripe seeds, it should be sown in drills,--the last of
April or beginning of May being the most suitable season for sowing.

_Use._--"The Lentil is a legume of the greatest antiquity, and was much
esteemed in the days of the patriarchs. In Egypt and Syria, the seeds
are parched, and sold in shops; being considered by the natives as
excellent food for those making long journeys. In France, Germany,
Holland, and other countries of Europe, it is grown to a considerable
extent, both for its seeds and haum. The former are used in various
ways, but principally, when ripe, in soups, as split pease. When given
as green food to stock, it should be cut when the first pods are nearly
full grown."

_Varieties._--

COMMON LENTIL. _Law._

Yellow Lentil.

This variety is considered superior to the Large Lentil, though the
seeds are much smaller. In the markets of Paris, it is the most
esteemed of all the cultivated sorts. Its season is the same with that
of the last named.

GREEN LENTIL.

Lentille verte Du Puy. _Vil._

The Green Lentil somewhat resembles the Small Lentil, particularly in
its habit of growth; though its stem is taller and more slender, and its
foliage deeper colored. The principal distinction is in the color of the
seeds, which are green, spotted and marbled with black.

LARGE LENTIL. _Law._

Flowers small, white, generally two, but sometimes three, on each
peduncle; the pods are three-fourths of an inch long, half an inch
broad, flattened, and generally contain a single seed, which is white or
cream-colored, lens-shaped, three-eighths of an inch in diameter, and an
eighth of an inch in thickness. The plant is about fifteen inches high.

It is one of the most productive of all th