m 
116 
THE DICTIONARY OF GARDENING, 
Arthroste: —continued. 
A. nitida (glossy-leaved). fi. lilac ; peduncles axillary towards the 
top of the branches, three-flowered, longer than the petioles. 
June. i. ovate, acute, serrulated, glabrous on both surfaces, 
shining above, but glandularly hispid on the nerves beneath. 
Stems shrubby, erect, and are, as well as the branches, tetragonally 
- winged, beset with coloured hairs, k. 2ft. to 3ft. Buenos Ayres, 
1829. Greenhouse species, 
A. versicolor (changeable-flowered). fl., petals obovate, ciliated, 
at first white, but at length becoming reddish, terminal, solitary. 
September. l. petiolate, ovate, serrulated, five-nerved, discoloured 
beneath. Plant shrubby; hairy. h.1ft. Brazil (on the sea shore), 
1825. Stove species. + 
ARTHROTAXIS. See Athrotaxis. ? 
ARTICHOKE, GLOBE. (Cynara Scolymus, a 
cultivated form of O. Cardunculus). As a vegetable, the 
Globe Artichoke is cultivated for the use of the im- 
mature flower-heads, and is highly esteemed. A good 
open position, free from overhanging trees, is best suited 
for its culture generally, but, by planting successional 
suckers in different aspects, the season may be consider- 
ably prolonged. The soil must be of good depth, rich, 
and not too heavy. It may be greatly improved for 
Artichoke culture by the addition of sea-weeds or salt 
applied as manure. 
* 
Fig. 151. GLOBE ARTICHOKE. 
Preparation of Soil. Trench the. ground two spits deep 
if possible, mixing a liberal dressing of well-rotted manure 
in autumn, and ridge up for the winter, to sweeten. Crude 
manure full of straw, leaves, and sticks, often induce fungoid 
growths, and are most injurious to the crowns of the plants. 
Clay or stiff loam is about the worst soil on which to attempt 
_ the culture of this vegetable ; this drawback may, however, 
to some extent be alleviated by the addition and thorough 
amalgamation of a light free soil or liberal dressings of 
sandy road drifts, or similar materials. An ill-drained soil 
is also fatal to good results. During hot, dry weather, the 
plants are greatly benefited by copious applications of clear 
water and dilute liquid manure; and this must be especially 
attended to on such soils as are liable to burn or dry up in 
summer. x 
and about 3ft. from plant to plant. Water-in carefully. 
ing of half-decayed manure, to prevent an undue evapo- 
ration of moisture. During hot, dry ‘weather, give 
liberal supplies of water, and the plants will become esta- 
_ blished se Te mosis tho fret season. A few heads will 
much of a crop until. 
Cultivation. When the beds bsve been properly pre- | 
pared, the plants should be put in them ‘a ba pd May. © 
Place three together in rows between 3ft. and 4ft. apart, — 
to settle the soil around the roots, and apply a mulch- | 
the second season, when five or six © 
Artichoke, Globe—continued. 
good heads will be got from each plant, and for three or four 
years the produce will be large if the beds are properly 
attended to; after which time it will become desirable to 
make up new plantations. In October or November, it will 
be necessary to apply a good mulching of straw or fern to 
the beds, to protect the plants from frost. In April, all 
this litter should be cleaned off, a dressing of rotten manure 
applied, and the beds forked over and kept clean for the 
rest of the season, treating as before described. Great 
care must be taken to remove the heads as soon as they 
are ina fit state; and, when the whole of them are removed 
from the stems, cut the latter out as low as possible. 
Globe Artichokes will keep for some considerable time if 
laid in a cool place, although they will deteriorate in 
quality. These plants may be used in the background of 
flower borders in the kitchen garden, their handsome foliage 
being peculiarly well adapted for such purposes, whilst their 
economical value is also secured. See Fig. 151. Where 
there is plenty of room in light, warm sheds, orchard houses, 
or other places where frost can be kept out, some stools can 
be taken up with the root intact in the early part of November, 
placed in boxes of soil, and well watered-in. When 
drained, the boxes may be put in any of those posi- 
tions for their winter quarters, and, if kept moist, 
will develop much earlier than the outdoor crops, 
provided they are planted out early in April on a 
warm border, and protected with mats when the 
weather is cold. Propagation may be effected by 
seeds, or by suckers from the old stools, the latter 
being the better plan. In the former case, sow the 
seeds in March, on a gentle hotbed, and prick the 
seedlings off singly, when large enough, into small 
pots. Harden off by the last week in May, and 
plant out in threes as previously recommended, 
_ protecting the plants osts. During the 
manure mulching, to prevent undue 
In November, well cover with dry litter w 
not heat; and, in hard frosts, or heavy snow, throw a 
a few mats over the beds, uncovering at the same Ps 
time as recommended above for the older plants. 
_ To propagate by rooted offsets or suckers, take up 
and divide the stools, when they have made a fair 
amount of growth in April or early in May, separating 
the suckers with as many roots and as much soil 
adhering to them as possible. The old woody por- 
tions are of little use, but they may be replanted to 
give off a fresh supply of suckers for the next year, if 
required. Propagation by suckers, if they are to be ob- 
tained, has many advantages; but care must be taken, in 
removing them from old plants, that some roots are attached, 
or growth will be uncertain. Seeds generally produce a 
large percentage of plants that are useless, and this is not 
found out until the flower-heads appear. On the other 
hand, suckers reproduce the parent plant, and if these are 
previously selected, the superior stock is thereby perpetuated. 
Sorts. The Green and Purple are the best for ordinary ath 
purposes ; and of these preference should be given to the __ 
former. See also Cynara. Sl ; 
ARTICH JERUSALEM (Helianthus tube- 
rosus). A hardy tuberous-rooted herbaceous perennial, 
native of Brazil. The roots are used as a vegetable princi- 
pally during the winter, sometimes as a dish, but more 
generally for flavouring purposes. Plants will grow in 
almost any position, but the best results and largest tubers 
are obtained where they receive plenty of room and liberal 
atn Their culture has been recommended as a 
) E are not likely to take the 
