32 Hog and Jerusalem Artichokes. 



the smaller specimens often attains it : though they are fre- 

 quently very irregular with knobs and protuberances, which 

 are always obtusely rounded at the end. Those of the Ten- 

 nessee or Hog artichoke, {fig' 3) are three or four times less in 



Fig. 3. Outline of a tuber of the Hog Artichoke, nearly of the natural size. 



size, but vastly more numerous, formed both along the course 

 of, and at the extremities of stolones, which extend, variously 

 branching and interlaced, so as to form a thick mat over a 

 space 3 or 4 feet across. Those who are sceptical with re- 

 gard to the doctrine that Irish potatoes are not roots, but 

 modified stems, I think will have no doubts as to the nature 

 of these productions. In form, they are always long and 

 slender, acutely conical at both ends, though thickest towards 

 their distal extremity, which terminates not with a mere eye, 

 or bud, but with a regular built crown, as in the tuberous 

 roots of Convallaria multifiora. In some, now before me, not 

 larger than my little finger, this commencement of next year's 

 stem projects an inch, and has already put forth fibres three 

 inches long. I am told, but have not observed the fact my- 

 self, that these tubers remain solid and succulent in the 

 spring, long after those of the common sort have become 

 corky or hollow — a property which greatly increases their 

 value, as food for hogs. 



The stems of the Jerusalem artichoke, as they commonly 

 stand less thick on the ground, are larger in diameter, 

 the epidermis green, but, on the upper part and branches, 

 thickly sprinkled with minute brown spots, or tinged of a 

 purplish brown on the side next the sun. Those of the new 

 sort attain about the same height, but are more branched, the 



