SECT. XV. OF ESCULENTS. 215 



have about a foot of stalk, breaking the remaining 

 part of the stem down to the bottom, that it may 

 not rob the root by a waste of sap. At the spring 

 dressing, all the suckers are to be taken off, leaving 

 three only of the strongest shoots to fruit- Those 

 without roots will grow by planting deep, and keep r - 

 ing moist. 



^Let the plants be protected from hard frosts ; at 

 the prospect of which, cut down the stalks and out- 

 side leaves to the inner ones, dig between, and earth 

 the plants to near the tops ; and if severe weather 

 follows, they should be covered thick with straw, 

 which must be removed when the frost goes. The 

 earthing-up Jieed not be levelled down till March, 

 or may be let alone till the time of their dressing, 

 which is best done at the beginning of April. If 

 uncovered early, let the litter lay ready in case of 

 frost to cover again. 



To have a long succession of artichokes, some 

 blips should be planted at two different times every 

 spring, as they bear the same year, only come in 

 later, and with smaller heads than the old plants. 

 If being planted late, they do not produce in the 

 present season, they come forwarder the next sum- 

 mer than old stools do ; but remember, a good soil 

 and open situation are absolutely necessary for the- 

 artichoke. Tis of service to lay grass mowings, or 

 some litter, about the roots to keep them cool ; for 

 though artichokes should not be planted in a moist 

 soil, on account of frost, yet they thrive best in a 

 cool one. Artichokes that come late y may be cut 

 with their full stalks, and being laid up to the head 

 in moist sand, in a cellar, will keep a month, so that 

 they may sometimes be had at Christmas. 



ASPARAGUS, there is (in tact) but one sort of, as. 

 fin esculent; but some difference occurs as: to size, 

 colour, and flavour, arising from cultivation, lu, 



