212 FORAGE CROPS. 



stored away for late feeding before the graz- 

 ing begins. 



ARTICHOKES. 



But few plants have been grown upon the farm 

 with reference to which opinions differ so widely. 

 Many of those who have grown the Jerusalem arti- 

 choke (Helianthus tuberosus) speak very highly of 

 it, more especially as a food for swine. Others, 

 again, look upon it as a nuisance on the farm, owing 

 to the difficulty they have met with in cleaning the 

 land of the plants. This difference in opinion may 

 arise, first, from a difference in soils; second, from 

 a difference in the methods of growing them ; third, 

 from a difference in the varieties grown; fourth, 

 from a difference in the method of handling the 

 crop after it has been grown ; and, fifth from a dif- 

 ference in handling the land when ridding it of the 

 artichokes. That there is a place for the artichoke, 

 especially as a forage for swine, should not any 

 longer be questioned. The testimony sustaining 

 this view comes from so many reputable men in 

 various states, and from so many states, that it is 

 not to be gainsaid. 



The artichoke is a tuber which bears consider- 

 able resemblance to the potato, both in appearance 

 and habits of growth. The tops, which frequently 

 grow to a hight of six or eight feet, closely resemble 

 the wild sunflower. The flowers are yellow, and 

 seed is produced, though not so plentifully as by 

 the sunflower. The tubers are more elongated and 

 irregular in shape than those of the potato. They 

 cluster more closely around the parent stem and yet 

 they throw out runners at the same time which bear 



