VILLA GARDENING 421 



CHAPTER VI 



The Artichoke (Globe). — The question might be asked, Why 

 should riL-h people have all the best and most delicately-liavoiu-ed 

 fruits and vegetables, whilst the middle and lower classes content 

 themselves with the Potato and Cabbage 1 It seems to me that 

 no satisfactory answer can be given. To say that there is want of 

 enterprise and intelligence does not answer the question satis- 

 factorily. I grant, of course, that it takes time and determination 

 to acquire a taste for anything we have not been accustomed to ; 

 but many vegetables, such as Tomatoes, Asparagus, Spinach, etc., 

 are slowly but surely finding their way among the masses, and the 

 more variety in our food -supply the better. At any rate, the 

 supply of wholesome vegetables in om- home gardens cannot be too 

 large. 



Preparation op the Ground. — The better and deeper the 

 cultivation the larger and more succulent the flower heads, which 

 are the only part eaten ; and as the crop in the system of cultm-e 

 I am about to recommend will occupy the land four years, the 

 preparations should include trenching at least 2 feet or more in 

 depth if the land will bear it. A liberal supply of manure should 

 also be given, and the surface left in a rough state till the end of 

 March or beginning of April, this being the best time to plant. 

 They should occupy an open sunny situation, away from trees and 

 buildings, and the heads should be cut for use when about half 

 grown. Llany people are disappointed Avith this vegetable because 

 the heads are served up when too old and without their delicate 

 flavom' and succuleucy. 



Propagation. — There are two methods of doing this — viz. by 

 seeds and off"sets, the latter being the best, as seeds cannot be 

 relied upon to come always true. The value of the heads is much 

 enhanced if the scales which enclose them are thick and flesliy. I 

 have raised a good many seedlings in my time, and have always 

 found a proportion of them to give inferior heads; therefore, as 

 seedlings are required to be grown and selected before their 

 character can be considered fixed, I give a preference in making 

 new plantations to oftsets taken from a good variety. The best 

 variety has large robust heads, with the scales broad and tinged 

 with purple. If seeds are used — and sometimes, after a very severe 

 winter, it has been found necessary to raise seedlings because of 

 the lo.sses sustained by frost— when the plants begin to bear, all 

 the inferior varieties should be pulled up. If seeds are sown early 



