Asparagus is no longer known in the British pharmacopoeia, but the French make large medicinal use of its root, which is supposed to still the action of the heart, like foxglove, and to act as a preventive of calculi. In cooking the vegetable, tie in small bundles, which should be stood on end in the saucepan, so that the delicate heads should be _steamed_, and not touched by the boiling water. Many cooks will contest this point; which, however, does not admit of argument. There was once a discussion in a well-known hostelry, as to whether the _Tomato_ was a fruit or a vegetable. Eventually the head-waiter was invited to solve the great question. He did so on the spot. "Tumarter, sir? Tumarter's a hextra." And as a "hextra" it has never since that period ceased to be regarded. A native of South America, the plant was introduced into Europe by the Spaniards, late in the sixteenth century, and the English got it in 1596. Still until a quarter of a century ago the tomato has not been largely cultivated, save by the market gardener; in fact in private gardens it was conspicuous by its absence. Those who eat it do _not_ invariably succumb to cancer; and the dyspeptic should always keep it on the premises. As the tomato is also known as the "love-apple," a great point was missed by our old friend Sergeant Buzfuz, in the celebrated Bardell v. Pickwick trial, when referring to the postscript, "chops, and tomato sauce." Possibly Charles Dickens was not an authority on veget---- I beg pardon, "hextras." Here is a French recipe for _Tomate au Gratin_: Cut open the tops and scoop out the pulp. Pass it through a sieve, to clear away the pips, and mix with it either a modicum of butter, or oil, some chopped shalot and garlic, with pepper and salt. Simmer the mixture for a quarter of an hour, then stir in some bread-crumbs, previously soaked in broth, and some yolks of egg. When cold, fill the tomato skins with the mixture, shake some fine bread raspings over each, and bake in quick oven for ten or twelve minutes. The _Turnip_ is not, as might be sometimes imagined, entirely composed of compressed deal splinters, but is a vegetable which was cultivated in India long before the Britons got it. The Scotch call turnips "neeps"; but the Scotch will do anything. Probably no member of the vegetable family is so great a favourite with the insect pests sent on earth by an all-wise Providence to prevent mankind having too much to eat. But see that you get a few turnips to cook when there is roast duck for dinner. _Spinach_