116 



The Dictionary of Gardening, 



Arthrostemma — continued. 

 A. nitida (glossy-leaved), f. lilac ; pedundes axillary towards the 



top of the" branches, three-flowered, longer than the petioles. 



.Ivnie. t. ovate, anite. serrulated, ^lahrous on both surfaces, 



.shining above, but ;il;uidiilarly hispid on the nerves beneath. 



Stems shrubby, erert,:i nil are, as well as the branches, tetragonally 



winged, beset with coloured hairs, h. 2ft. to 3ft. Buenos Ayres, 



1829. 4 Greenhouse species. 

 A. versicolor (chanf;eable-flowered). Jl., petals obovate, ciliated, 



at tirst white, but at "length becoming reddish, terminal, solitary. 



September. I. petiolate, ovate, serrulated, five-nerved, discoloured 



lieneath. Plant shrubby; hairy. /(.1ft. Brazil (on the sea shore), 



1825. .stove t^]>ecies. 



ABTHBOTAXIS. See Athrotaxis. 



ARTICHOKZ!, GIiOBI!. (Cynara Scolymus, a 

 cultiyateil form of C. CardiinnilHs). 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 



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. 



Cultivation. When the beds have been properly pre- 

 pared, the plants should be put in them in April or May. 

 Place three together in rows between 3ft. and 4ft. apart, 

 and about 3ft. from plant to plant. Water-in carefully 

 to settle the soil around the roots, and apply a mulch- 

 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 as fine stools the first season. A few heads will 

 probably be produced the first year ; but there will not be 

 much of a cro^) until the second season, when five or six 



Articlioke, 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 muloliing of straw or fern to 

 the beds, to protect the plants from frost. In A]>ril, 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 in a 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 

 qitality. 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 bo 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 from late frosts. During the 

 growing season, give an abundance of water and liquid 

 manure mulching, to prevent undue evaporation. 

 In November, well cover with dry litter which will 

 not heat; and, in hard frosts, or heavy snow, throw 

 a few mats over the beds, uncovering at the same 

 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 

 purposes ; and of these preference should be given to the 

 former. See also Cynara. 



ARTICHOKE, JEB,USAI.i:]VI (Belianihus tuhe- 

 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 

 treatment. Their culture has been recommended as a 

 substitute for the potato, but they are not likely to take the 

 place of this vegetable, the flavour being disliked by many 

 persons. A few are, however, generally acceptable. 



Cultivation. To ensure the most successful results, 

 trench over a piece of ground in autumn, and give a 

 light dressing of manure. Fork over in March ; at the 



