92 THE BOOK OF RARER VEGETABLES 



of the roots is supposed somewhat to resemble oysters. 

 On the continent, especially in Spain, the roots are 

 cultivated in the same way as the Scorzonera, and are 

 considered to be quite as good. The leaves and stalks of 

 the plants are also eaten as Cardoons by the people of 

 Salamanca, but they should be well grown to be equal to 

 the Cardoon. The flowers also are used for various 

 purposes, one being for the adulteration of Saffron. This 

 variety is biennial and easily cultivated, and may be in- 

 creased by division or grown from seeds. If the latter, they 

 are best sown in the early spring and when large enough 

 transplanted into deeply dug land, as though the plant 

 will thrive in almost any soil when grown for use as a 

 vegetable, it. repays good culture and should be planted 

 in ground that was well manured for a previous crop, as 

 if recently manured the roots fork or split up badly. 

 Seed is best sown in March or April in rows 2 feet apart 

 and the plants thinned to 1 8 inches apart in the row. 

 The roots will be ready by the autumn, and may be lifted 

 and stored or left in the soil and used as required. 



To COOK SCOLYMUS 



The roots may be cooked in any of the ways in which 

 Salsify is cooked. See the recipes given in " The Book 

 of Asparagus." 



