THE ABTICHOKE. 139 



CHAPTER IK. 

 ASPARAGINOUS PLANTS. 



The Artichoke. Asparagus. Cardoon. Hop. Oosung. Phytolacca. 



THE ARTICHOKE. 



Cynarus scolymus. 



HE Artichoke is a hardy perennial. The 

 stem is from four to five feet in height, with 

 numerous branches ; the leaves are of re- 

 markable size, frequently measuring three 

 feet, and sometimes nearly four feet in length, 

 pinnatifid, or deeply cut on the borders, and more or less 

 invested with an ash-colored down ; the mid-ribs are large, 

 fleshy, and deeply grooved, or furrowed ; the flowers are 

 large, terminal, and consist of numerous blue florets, 

 enclosed by fleshy, pointed scales ; the seeds (eight hundred 

 and fifty of which are contained in an ounce) are of a 

 grayish color, variegated with deep brown, oblong, angular, 

 somewhat flattened, and retain their vitality five years. 



Soil. Select a light, rich, and rather moist soil, and 

 trench it well ; incorporating in the process a liberal portion 

 of old, well-decomposed compost. Sea-weeds, kelp, rock- 

 weed, and the like, where they can be obtained, are the best 

 fertilizers ; but, where these are not accessible, a slight 

 application of salt will be beneficial. 



Propagation. Artichokes may be propagated either by 

 seeds, or by slips, or suckers, from established plants. If 



