424 VILLA GARDENING taut v 



Cardoon, like the Celery, is a biennial, raised from seeds annually ; 

 but though, as regards the production of flowers and seeds, its 

 habit is biennial, as a vegetable it really is an annual, and the 

 seeds must be sown every spring. Trenches are prepared as if for 

 Celery about the middle of May, and about the same distances 

 apart. In the bottom of the trenches should be placed 6 inches 

 of thoroughly decayed manure mixed with earthy compost, in which 

 some charred rubbish or wood ashes form a part. This is mixed 

 and blended with the soil at the bottom of the trench in such a 

 manner as to leave a good tilth on the surface to receive the seeds. 

 If it does not do this, some fine compost or surface-soil must be 

 added to give them a chance of growing imchecked. When the 

 trenches are ready di-aw a drill along the bottom 1 inch deep, 

 sowing the seeds thinly ; and when the young plants appear, thin 

 out to 1 5 inches apart, leaving, of com-se, the strongest to form the 

 crop. After this the same culture as is commonly given to Celery 

 will suffice, the main points being a good supply of water, and 

 earthing-up to blanch when the plants are strong enough. To 

 obtain a succession several sowings are made, the first taking place 

 in heat towards the end of March ; the seeds are sown in small pots, 

 four or five seeds in each, and, if all germinate, should be reduced 

 to one, leaving, of course, the strongest. The success of this first 

 crop will be in proportion to the attention it receives. If the 

 plants can be carried through without experiencing any serious 

 check, all will be well ; but if checked or starved in any way the 

 plants will bolt. The early-raised plants should be hardened otf 

 and planted in the trenches in May. The first week in June is 

 perhaps the best season to sow the main winter supply, and it 

 should be sown in the trenches in patches from 15 to 18 inches 

 apart, reducing the plants to one in each patch when they are 

 large enough, keeping them well supplied with water to ensm'e 

 rapid growth, and mulching over the roots with manure. 



Earthing-up.— This shoidd not be done till growth is nearly 

 completed, or at least till very considerable progress has been made, 

 as it certainly checks growth, and no water can be given after- 

 wards. As regards the main crop, the earthing-up will be done 

 in October, as early in the month as convenient. Select a dry 

 day for the operation, draw the leaves together carefully, and 

 secure them with matting ; afterwards envelop the plants with 

 hay bands, and then build up the soil over the whole, except a few 

 inches of the points of the leaves at the top. In about five or six 

 weeks the heads will be in a perfect condition for use, and should 

 be lifted a few at a time, as required. Though they are sometimes 

 lifted at the approach of severe weather, and packed in earth in 



