20 THE BOOK OF RARER VEGETABLES 



every way. Some varieties are not nearly as hardy 

 as others, but the Tours is one of the best in this 

 respect. The best Cardoon I ever grew was from some 

 seed given me by a celebrated traveller. It was a reddish 

 stem or leaf-stalk not unlike the Marseilles, but much 

 smaller, and of such a tender nature it was soon injured 

 by cold. I was unable afterwards to get it true from 

 home-grown seed, as it produced inferior stock. The 

 Marseilles is a red stemmed Cardoon, having large leaves 

 and smooth, and a solid stalk of good quality. The 

 Puvis is a very large grower, having a thick leaf-stalk, 

 very solid, and a thick or close leaf growth with very 

 few spines ; it is also a free grower that does not soon 

 run to seed, and when cooked it is considered one of the 

 best. This I consider one of the best for ordinary garden 

 culture, as, owing to the spineless or nearly spineless 

 nature, it is much better and more readily handled. The 

 above comprise the best known kinds, and the selection 

 will be considered quite large enough for ordinary 

 purposes. 



The plant needs more space than many other vege- 

 tables. Its culture is not well known, and the plant is 

 much better when raised under glass and planted out, 

 getting a longer season's growth if this is done. A 

 warm, well-drained soil, well enriched with manure, in 

 an open position, is the best. Doubtless, in this country, 

 the trench system in the same way as Asparagus is grown 

 is the most reliable. Seed may be sown in pots under 

 glass for an early supply in March, or early in April to 

 plant out the end of May. Many good cultivators sow in 

 heat, but I do not advise it, as given merely glass or 

 cold frame shelter at the start, a sturdier plant is 

 obtained and there is less risk at the planting out. 

 At the start very little moisture is required till the 

 seedlings have germinated, and it is well to sow these 

 seeds in small pots; and when these are well above 



