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TIIK KAKMEKS HANDBOOK. 



rise t< the second brood of caterpillars. The second brood, on pupating in 

 the soil, may remain over winter as pupse, and produce the first spring brood 

 of moths next season. 



The adult moth is dark-grey on the body and wings, with two rows of 

 pink patches on the upper surface of the hind half of the body. 



Controls. — Once an attack has commenced, spraying with arsenate of 

 lead (about 1 lb. to 20 gallons of water) can be recommended where the 

 foliage is not very thick. This would be more effective against the young 

 stages of the caterpillars. In dense plots of sweet potatoes there seems to 

 be nothing to do except to now and again shake the plants and search for 

 and destroy the caterpillars. 



To prevent an infestation, turn up the soil in autumn and winter to 

 •expose and destroy hibernating pupa? in areas where they have previously 

 attacked the crop. 



THE JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE* 



This plant belongs to the sunflower genus and grows to a height of 6 to 

 $ feet, resembling closely in appearance an ordinary sunflower with a 

 miniature flower. 



It produces a large cluster of rhizomes or tubers, as shown in the illustra- 

 tion, useful for culinary purposes, and of special value as fodder for pigs. 

 The leaves and stalks are of some value for sheep and conversion into silage, 

 but it is almost invariably for the abundant crop of tubers that the plant 

 is grown. 



The Jerusalem artichoke is very persistent in growth, and, if raised in 

 suitable soil, it is difficult of eradication. Enough tubers, as a rule, are left 

 •each year to continue the crop; hence it is wise to set apart a permanent 



paddock for it, or the odd corners of a farm or 

 waste places of little value for other crops may 

 be used for growing artichokes. 



Suitable Climate and Soil. 



The plant is extremely hardy. Whilst the 

 best crops are raised on good mellow loams, 

 profitable yields are secured on stiff clay lands, 

 light sandy or gravelly soils. 



The land is best suited where the drainage is 

 good. In fact, any soil suitable for potatoes 

 will answer for artichokes. It is a crop that 

 requires little attention when it is established. 



The soil needs thorough cultivation. It 

 should be deeply ploughed about May or June. 

 During the winter it may be harrowed occa- 

 sionally, lightly reploughed about September, 

 and well manured as if for sweet potatoes. 



The tubers are then planted by dropping them into furrows 3 feet apart. 



with a space of 2 feet between each tuber. If the sets are small, plant whole, 



while large ones may be cut. Cover by turning a furrow over them. About 



4 cwt. of tubers will plant an acre. 



A cluster of rhizomes. 



* A. J. Pinn, Inspector of Agriculture. 



