154 GARDENING. 



which we now add the subsequent management 

 common to both. 



In hot and dry climates, the soil best adapted to 

 the artichoke is that which is most retentive of 

 moisture, and vice versa. In our own particular 

 climate, which may be regarded as a medium be- 

 tween the two extremes, a soil neither very wet nor 

 very dry is to be preferred. A portion of this, of 

 such extent as the required number of plants may 

 render necessary, which has been previously and 

 thoroughly worked and manured, should be raked 

 smooth, and so scored, both lengthwise and across, 

 as to form a number of beds or squares of three feet 

 in the centre of each of which a hole is to be dib- 

 bled and an artichoke placed remembering, how- 

 ever, before you do so (if the plants are seedlings), 

 to pinch off the tap or pivot root,* and to leave 

 as much of the native soil as the lateral roots will 

 hold together, and (whether seedlings or suckers) 

 to press with your hand or your dibbler the earth 

 into close contact with the buried part of the plant, 

 leaving only the heart uncovered. When this is 

 done, sow rows of lettuce seed in the intervals be- 

 tween the artichokes ; which, besides giving an ad- 

 ditional and useful article to your crop, will best 

 protect from the ravages of the grub that which is 

 your primary object ; for many observations concur 

 in showing that, where the grub has the power of 



* The facts on which this theory rests are two. 1st. That it 

 is the peculiar office of the pivot to give sustenance to the stem 

 and leaves, and of the lateral roots to supply the suckers and 

 heads, which are the things we want. Now if the pivot be re- 

 moved, the lateral roots acquire an increased vigour, and the 

 head is made better in proportion. " M. Feburier, of Rennes, 

 planted two rows of artichokes, the one with pivot roots, the 

 other deprived of them. The former threw out leaves so long 

 and numerous, that it became necessary to thin them ; but their 

 fruit was neither abundant nor fine, while the latter grew well, 

 and gave fruit much better and earlier than the other." Cours 

 d'Agri., art. Artichoke. 



