ASPARAGINOVS PLANTS. 283 



growth, before the central leaves of the calyx are 

 separated, or the flowers in any way exposed. A 

 large portion of the centre is occupied by what is 

 vulgarly called the choke, which consists of the young 

 flowers and seed-down, having the appearance of 

 bristles or prickly filaments, and from which the 

 receptacle, or bottom, must be entirely freed before it 

 can be eaten. 



Artichokes are most readily propagated by offsets 

 from the roots of the old plants, from which they 

 may be separated, and planted out anew in March 

 or April, when they have attained a height of about 

 five inches. They will produce a crop the same 

 year, but not an abundant one, commencing in 

 August, and continuing till November; the second 

 year they will be in full bearing, and produce two 

 months earlier. Thus by planting fresh offsets every 

 year, a succession of artichokes may be obtained 

 from June to November. The old plants, however, 

 will continue productive for many years, provided the 

 ground be annually manured at the winter dressing. 

 But although the heads may be obtained from roots 

 twenty years old, they degenerate in size and abun- 

 dance with the age of the plant, and therefore it is 

 advisable often to renew the plantation. 



The CARDOON Cynara cardunculus is a native 

 of Candia, whence it was not introduced into England 

 until more than a century after the artichoke. Its 

 cultivation has never, however, been an object of 

 much attention in Britain, where it is considered of 

 little value. On the Continent this vegetable takes a 

 higher rank, and is much more extensively used. 



The stems of the young leaves, rendered mild and 

 crisp by blanching, are the only edible parts of the 

 plant; these are stewed or used as an ingredient in 

 soups and in salads. 



