142 CALIFORNIA VEGETABLES 



largely used for human food, though it is usually to be found in 

 the San Francisco market. It somewhat resembles a potato in 

 flavor, and yet has its own distinctive character, and is cooked in 

 several ways. It may be baked, or pared or cooked like salsify, or 

 boiled for use in soups and salads. It does not resemble the potato 

 in keeping quality, for it is apt to decay quickly after digging. 



Soil, Cuture and Yield. The Jerusalem artichoke is not very 

 particular about soil. It reaches better form in rather a light soil, 

 as does a potato, and it yields enormously on a rich loam, but it 

 will probably yield a greater weight on a poor, dry soil than any 

 other crop known. S. J. Murdock, of Orange county, gives this 

 account of the plant: 



The preparation of the ground and the subsequent cultivation is the 

 same as for potatoes; the rows should not be less than four feet apart, and 

 three feet between plants. Plant small tubers or the larger ones cut to 

 two eyes, and about four inches deep. Keep the ground stirred to prevent 

 weeds, till the plants, shade the patch, and then they will take care of 

 themselves. They should yield from seven to fifteen tons per acre, or 

 even more, with a good stand, good soil, and care. Last year was a dry 

 one, and a neighbor of mine planted one acre to artichokes, but got but 

 little over half a stand on account of parts of his land being too dry. Yet 

 with his partial stand he raised ten tons of tubers. 



But Mr. Murdock and his neighbors operate on a peat soil of 

 great looseness and richness, which favors the maximum size and 

 multiplication of the tubers. His results are, therefore, not attain- 

 able everywhere, but still the growth and productiveness of the 

 plant are marvelous in this climate. 



Gathering. In the garden the artichoke bed can be regarded 

 as a permanent investment. Digging can begin in the autumn at 

 one end of the bed and proceed regularly through it as the tubers 

 are wanted until growth starts in the spring. Selecting the large 

 tubers for use and leaving the small ones in the soil will harvest 

 and replant the crop at one operation. Before the rains are over, 

 the bed should have a top dressing of manure and then it is ready 

 for another season, with no farther care except pulling weeds which 

 start early. 



The Jerusalem artichoke has been commended for years as a 

 food for hogs the animals to do their own harvesting. Some grow- 

 ers are very enthusiastic over it, but why it has not been more 

 widely employed has never been fully explained. Some growers 

 commend them highly as cow-feed, and when boiled, fowls eat them 



