ARTICHOKES. 51 



ON ARTICHOKES. 



There are many articles which might be cultivated 

 to great advantage by the farmer, were there not that 

 lear existing of going out of the path which their fa- 

 thers trod, and of trying new experiments. Among 

 the number may be enumerated the artichoke. 



The artichoke is as easily cultivated as the pota- 

 to, and the cultivation is the same, with this differ- 

 ence, that the artichoke should be planted earlier, the 

 latest period being not later than March. It produ- 

 ces a beautiful shade, especially the Jerusalem Arti- 

 choke, under which no weeds will thrive. Nearly 

 all animals are fond of it, even more so than of the 

 potato when cooked. 



Some culturists have declared, that the potato is 

 superior to turnips or beets as food for cattle, and, if 

 so, the artichoke is superior to them all ; for, when 

 cooked, it is certainly superior to the potato. And 

 then the expense of cultivation is only the same; it is 

 proof against injury from frost, is more nutritious to an- 

 imals, leaves the land clean, and yields from twenty to 

 forty per cent, more than potatoes. There is but one 

 thing to be opposed to its cultivation, and that is the 

 care which is necessary in digging them, it being well 

 known that if any are left in the ground, they will 

 vegetate the next year. This, however, is no great 

 inconvenience, 



