CARDOON. 151 



raised from seed ; which, as the plant is used in the first year 

 of its growth and is liable to be injured by the winter, should 

 be sown annually, although the Cardoon is really a perennial. 

 It succeeds best when sown where the plants are to remain ; 

 for, if removed, the plants recover slowly, are more liable to 

 rim to seed, and, besides, seldom attain the size of those that 

 have not been transplanted. 



The seed should be sown as early in spring as the weather 

 becomes warm and settled, in drills three feet apart, an inch 

 and a half in depth, and the young plants afterwards thinned 

 to twelve inches asunder in the drills. The leaves are 

 blanched before being used. 



It is sometimes raised and blanched as follows : Sow the 

 seed at the bottom of trenches made about six inches deep, 

 twelve inches wide, three feet apart, and of a length accord- 

 ing to the supply required. At the bottom of the trench 

 thoroughly mix a small quantity of well-digested compost, 

 and sow the seeds in small groups, or collections (three or 

 four seeds together), at about twelve or fifteen inches apart, 

 and cover them an inch or an inch and a half deep. When 

 the young plants have acquired three or four leaves, they 

 should be thinned out to single plants. During the summer 

 keep them free from weeds ; and, as they require much 

 moisture, it is well to water frequently, if the weather is very 

 dry. In September the plants will have attained their growth 

 for the season, and be ready for blanching ; which should 

 be commenced in a dry day, and when the plants are entirely 

 free from dampness. It is thus performed : The leaves of 

 each plant are carefully and lightly tied together with strong 

 matting, keeping the whole upright, and the ribs of the 

 leaves closely together. The plant is then bound with twisted 

 hay-bands, or bands of straw, about an inch and a half in 

 diameter ; beginning at the root, and continuing the winding 

 until two thirds or three fourths of the height are covered. 



