140 CALIFORNIA VEGETABLES 



ary, and continue until June. Such shipments reached about 300 

 carloads in 1913. The buds are packed in wooden drums holding 

 about seventy pounds each and about 450 drums go to the car. It 

 is fair to expect an increasing demand because the vegetable is only 

 beginning to be understood and appreciated by Americans. When 

 they learn its delicacy a continuous supply from California during 

 the winter season should meet a largely increased demand. 



Soil. The globe artichoke will thrive on any well-prepared 

 garden soil and does not refuse a pretty heavy adobe if well culti- 

 vated to retain moisture. It delights in manuring and is benefited 

 by it both in the tenderness of its buds and the multiplication of 

 bearing stems. Either a complete commercial fertilizer or barnyard 

 manure may be quite freely used the latter even at the rate of ten 

 or twelve tons to the acre, applied early in the rainy season. 



Propagation. The plant grows readily from seed which may 

 be planted either in boxes or the open ground in September, if irri- 

 gation is available; if not, sow as soon as the ground is deeply 

 moistened by rain. The seedlings may be transplanted, when six 

 or eight inches high, to permanent place whenever the ground is 

 suitable the same season. Transplanted seedlings usually bear 

 within a year. 



But there is much variation in plants grown from seed and 

 those grown from parts of old plants of good type are preferred. 

 The plant grows readily from dividing the stool or from suckers 

 detached from the root crown. The latter furnish an excellent 

 means of multiplication and should be secured by first uncovering 

 the stool as soon as there is a good growth of new shoots with well- 

 developed leaves. Remove the shoots carefully with a knife or 

 sharp gouge so as to take a small part of the parent root at the 

 base of the shoot. Many plants can thus be taken from a single 

 root-crown and a few of the best shoots left for growth. Shorten 

 the leaves somewhat to reduce evaporation until new roots are 

 formed. These sprouts can be planted at once in permanent place 

 if the ground is warm and moist and will bear late in the same year. 

 It is possible then by starting new plants at intervals to have a long 

 producing period in each year. The old stools will continue bear- 

 ing for many years. 



Distance. So free is the growth in this state, it is better to 

 give a good distance ; three feet apart in rows which are four or 

 five feet apart is not too much room for convenience. As the plant 



