562 THE GARDENER. [Dec. 



Jerusalem Artichokes. They somewhat resemble Potatoes in shape, 

 and in the way they are produced, clustering round the bottom of the 

 stems. They will grow in almost any soil, but are, of course, finer in 

 deep, rich, well-cultivated soil. Whole tubers (small ones) are planted 

 in March, or earlier, in rows 3 feet apart and lh foot or so in the 

 row, and about 4 inches deep. All the cultivation they need further 

 simply consists in keeping the ground clear of weeds and well hoed. 

 They are ready for use by autumn, and may be taken up and stored in 

 cellars like Carrots or Parsnips, or in pits like Potatoes ; but they are 

 very often left all winter where they have been grown, as it is considered 

 they deteriorate by storing. They will form a very pleasing substitute 

 for, and add variety to, ordinary roots that are used as vegetables dur- 

 ing the winter months. 



Globe Artichokes require different treatment, and it is not the root 

 which is used in this case, but the somewhat thistle-like top. Light 

 soil gives the least trouble in the cultivation of this vegetable : on 

 heavy wet soils it is sometimes difficult to winter. It thrives splen- 

 didly on deep, rich, peaty soils ; and in any case it is necessary, in pre- 

 paring the soil for Globe Artichokes, to select a well-drained spot, to 

 trench deeply and manure liberally, in order to secure first-class results. 

 This should be done in autumn or winter, and in March the surface 

 should be well broken with the fork, and a dressing of thoroughly 

 decomposed manure mixed with the surface soil unless it is naturally 

 rich. It is a good plan to plant as the digging proceeds ; and young 

 plants should be planted in rows 3 feet apart and 3 feet in the rows, 

 putting in the plants of the second row alternate with the first, and so 

 on. They are often enough planted in rows 4 feet apart and 4 feet in 

 the rows, in patches of threes, triangle fashion. Either plan will do. 

 The young plants are got growing round the stools of old plantations, 

 and they should be carefully lifted with a fork, so as to secure roots 

 to each plant, as they grow very much better when good roots are 

 attached than when pulled out carelessly and the roots left behind. 

 Should the spring be a dry one, a good watering will be of service ; 

 and if a dry summer ensues, a mulching of rich manure and copious 

 supplies of weak sewage or cow-house drainings, well diluted with 

 water, will prove of immense service. March or April is the best time 

 to plant them. Of course they require to be kept free of weeds. Spring- 

 planted ones throw up their heads later than established plantations, 

 and so form a succession. For this reason it is desirable that a few, 

 according to the wants of the household, be planted every spring, and 

 a corresponding portion destroyed, especially as they cease to throw up 

 so good heads after a year or two as young plantations do, more especi- 

 ally when they are neglected. As winter approaches — say about the 

 beginning of November, or sooner, should severe weather set in early — 

 the plants will require to get a little protection by placing dry litter 

 firmly round their collars, but leaving all healthy leaves sticking out at 



