LENTILS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5394, 1 March 1879, Page 6

LENTILS.

TO THK EDITOR. Srrc, —As there has lately been much distress and privation amongst fcho working clashes iu Great Britain, a gentleman has published, a letter in the London papers describing the coat auci properties of lentils, which, though very ancient, appear to bo highly nutritious. It wag for a olateful of this nice-looking red pottage that Ktaau sold his birthright to Jacob. Now, as editors i are looked upon as walking (writing?) I encyclopedias, can yon tel! me what lentils are like, how they ate growu, and what conditions of climate are necessary for their culture V—l am, &c., Amnios. The following is the article referred to : — SOUP FOR A FAMILY FOR A PENNY. Tho cheapest and best soup—pleasant, nutritious, and wholesome—needs only two articles: water and lentils, well cooked. The Egyptian lentils are preferable to Italian ones and others. They have only to be washed, soaked, and boiled furiously three or four hour* to make the best soup possible. Tut before an epicure, without reiuurk or information, it would be eaten an a fine gravy soup. No condiments are required to flavour it. The natural flavour is agreeable to all palates. No vegetables are required to thicken it, but there is no reason why onions, carrots, or celery should not be added if easily accessible. ludecd, tho last-named —celery—is a very useful addition, not only for its nutrition but for the alkalies it gives to purify the blood and ease tho bufferings of rheumatic victims. Lentils are to bo bought iu quantities at I a very low price. Lately there was, and probably there is, a large cargo in Gloucester Docks, selling at less than os a bushel. Say, a penny a pound. A penny so expended produces more nutriments than 3s expended iu lean beef. .Beef contains from 70 to SO percent, of dirty water. Lentils contain only 0 to II per cent, of clean water. At once there is more than a threefold advantage in favour of lentils over beef. Lentils, JSrum Lena, order Lcyuminosuz contain, accordiug to X'ayen : — Nitrogenous matter, 25*2; starch, &c., 50; cellulose, 2'4; fatty matter, 2*o; mineral matter, 2*3; water, 11*5—100. Thus it is at once perceived that the nutrition is of the best description possible. Everything that a human ] being requires as food is there. Indeed, the 1 value of lentil soup was well known in the days of Jacob and Esau, though now there is a ' sad ignorance of the best human food. Small { quantities of lentils (a peck is sufficient \ for a small family for a winter) can bo - purchased at most corn dealers in London. I am writing with a full practical knowledge of " the subject, having for 30 years lived on seeds, vegetables, and fruits, to the total ex- i elusion of alcohol, flesh, and fish. Yet not a i

man in a thousand would compete with me in strength «f lunga, or many men compete with me in strength of limb under equal conditions. Infants, too, I know fed indirectly on such food are free from ailments, and full of strength aod vitality. I can stand by the teaching given here firmly, and bo I am not ashamed of ray name.—William Giusoif Ward, F.R.H.S., the oldest "Vice-President of Vegetarian Society.