JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE. 401 



is not established ; and other species serve as nourishment to 

 the herds of the Kirghese and Calmucks. Dahlia variabilis, 

 a tuberous rooted plant. 



HeliantJius annuus, common sunflower, affords from 30 

 to 40 bushels of seeds per acre. These will yield 50 gallons 

 of oil, the refuse will make 1500 Ib. of oilcake, and the stalks 

 burnt into ash will afford half a ton of potash.* This crop, 

 however, impoverishes the soil. Some French authorities assert 

 that the leaves, either in a green or dried state, form excel- 

 lent food for cows, and that they are greedily eaten by them. 

 Poultry are very fond of, and will fatten rapidly on, the seeds. 



Helianthus tuberosus (Girasole), the well-known Jerusalem 

 artichoke. This plant is a native of Brazil. The tubers were 

 in use in this country before the potato became common, and 

 that use which had declined has now grown greater perhaps 

 than ever. The plant was introduced into England in the 

 reign of James I, in the year 1621, and so early as 1629 they 

 had become so common that " even the most vulgar began 

 to despise them ;" " whereas," as Parkinson says, " when 

 first introduced they were looked on as a dainty for a queen." 



COMPOSITION OF JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE, FROM HEMMINO'S TABLES. 

 TUBERS, DRIED AT 212 FAHRENHEIT. 



Organic matter, .... 88.8 

 Ash, ..... 11.2 



ULTIMATE ELEMENTS. 



Carbon, ..... 46.0 

 Hydrogen, . . . .6.2 



Oxygen, ..... 46.1 

 Nitrogen, . . . .1.7 



100.0 

 Ammonia, . . . 2.06 





* Stephens's ' Book of the Farm,' vol. ii. p. 375. 



2c 



