II 



"The outcome of a number of tests goes to show that, for fatten- 

 ing purposes, these tubers must be given with grain, and have a 

 similar result to feeding with ordinary potatoes ; 325 lbs. of wheat fed 

 with 820 lbs. of artichokes gave 100 lbs. increase. The average com- 

 position of the artichokes is shown here in contrast with the 

 potato": — 



JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE. 



The culture of Jerusalem Artichokes (Helia)ithus tuberosum) 

 has long been neglected in the Malay Peninsula. It is difficult to 

 imagine why this should be so as their cultivation is of the easiest. 

 Beyond deep changkoling of the soil and the keeping down of weeds, 

 little further attention is required. 



The tubers are used as a vegetable, sometimes as a dish but 

 more usually for flavouring purposes. They are very popular with 

 many Europeans, and as good vegetables are difficult to obtain, this 

 plant ought to be more widely cultivated than it is at present. 

 Plants will grow in almost any situation but the best results and 

 largest tubers are obtained when they receive plenty of room and 

 liberal treatment. Deeply changkol the soil and add to it a little 

 well decayed cow manure about a fortnight before planting. Avoid 

 using horse manure for various reasons. 



The roots or tubers are planted in rows 2 feet apart and it is 

 often as well to shade the plants when the leafshoots first appear. 

 The stems do not grow to the height they do in Europe but they 

 usually produce flowers, which is the exception in England. When 

 the plants are about four feet high (usually their full height) the 

 leaves wither and die. It is then that the tubers are in an edible 

 condition. 



When artichokes are grown as a vegetable for European 

 consumption, it is not advisable to plant up a large area at once as 

 the resultant tubers soon become discoloured and uneatable if lifted 

 and stored, and if left in the ground for very long they would 

 commence to sprout again. If a small bed is planted with tubers at 

 the above mentioned distances and three weeks are allowed to elapse 

 between each successive planting, a continuous supply of fresh 

 tubers can be obtained. It usually takes from three months from 

 the time the tubers are planted until the next crop is available. 



The plant is really a Canadian sun flower. 



J. W. A. 



