]885.] THE JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE. 245 



handsome variegated tree, but is surpassed in effect by Leopold's 

 sycamore, which shows more colour in fully larger and more 

 massive leaves. 



The Corstorphine plane {A. Pseud o-Platanus hUcsccas) is the 

 finest of this group. During the early part of the season of growth 

 it assumes a bright golden hue, which it retains with somewhat 

 diminishing effect till the end of its growing season. It is a 

 vigorous grower, and altogether a noble and striking tree. 



The ash-leaved variegated maple {A. Ncgundo fraxinifolut). — 

 This is one of the most beautiful of silver-leaved trees where it 

 succeeds well ; but unfortunately it does not do well everywhere, 

 being rather tender. It is very susceptible of injury from im- 

 purities of atmosphere and sea-breezes ; succeeds best in a 

 comparatively dry situation, well exposed to the sun, where it will 

 ripen its growth well. 



The golden alder {Ahms glutinosa aureci) and the purple-leaved 

 form of the same species are the only two tinted varieties of the 

 common alder at present known. They are both useful, but the 

 first-named is the most effective and desirable. S. G. W. 



THE JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE. 



THE sunflower artichoke is being extensively cultivated in 

 Belgium, as by a new process of distillation some 8 per cent. 

 of alcohol can be obtained from its tubers. More than 3500 acres 

 of poor, almost waste land, around Antwerp will this year be cropped 

 with the plant. The residue after distillation is nutritious. France 

 is thus also in the way of cultivating large stretches of her poor thin,, 

 chalky, and schistose soils with this new crop. 



The cultivation of Jerusalem artichoke is very much the same as 

 that for potatoes. February or March is the time to plant ; the- 

 earlier, the better will be the yield. Indeed, if the soil be sufficiently 

 friable, the planting may be made even in Avinter. Owing to the 

 quantity of its foliage, the Jerusalem artichoke draws a great deal 

 of its food from the atmosphere. 



Artichokes are now being cultivated alike in Iowa and Arizona as 

 a material for fattening pork. In field culture they are not hard to 

 eradicate, and must be replanted at least once in two years. An 

 Iowa farmer finds one or two acres sufficient for quite a large herd 

 of hogs. 



