ARTICHOKE. 199 



of so good a flavor as the second ; it may be grown, however, in sea 

 sand, manured with sea weed ; and this has suggested the idea of cul- 

 tivating it on the barren sea coast. 



ARTICHOKE, Cynara Scolyrnus, C. 19. O. 1. Compositse, sp. 

 7-10. Dh. & P. 4 ft. A native of Africa and the S. of Europe. It 

 has been much improved by cultivation in northern climates, and is 

 now a highly esteemed esculent plant. It is naturally a maritime 

 plant, like tiie Sea-Kale, though it thrives best on soil having decayed 

 vegetable matter. Burnt sea-weed must be good for the soil. The 

 parts of one variety eaten are the receptacle of the flower ; and the 

 chokes are the unopened florets, separated by bristles, which are re- 

 moved, but which, if swallowed, occasion a sensation of choking ; and 

 hence the name. The heads, before the flowers are open, are boiled 

 in salted water till soft ; the scales are then plucked off, and the bot- 

 toms dipped in melted butter, well seasoned, and the fleshy substance 

 is sucked off. It is eaten raw as a salad with salt and pepper ; but 

 stewed, boiled, and in milk, it is a standing dish at French breakfasts; 

 or made into ragouts, pies, &c. For winter use the parts are dried 

 in the sun and put up in paper. 



There are 3 varieties cultivated, the conical, oval and globe ; the 

 first 2 being the best. The first is of dark purplish tint, with the scales 

 much turned in at the top. This is preferred for the main crop. The 

 scales or edible part, possess most flavor, and are thicker in the conical; 

 but more tender than the oval or French, and should be cultivated on 

 this account. Both produce the heads from July to November. They 

 are propagated by rooted suckers from the old plants 1st of April, or 

 by seeds ; and they continue productive for 6 or 7 years. The flowers 

 are often used to coagulate milk for cheese. The juice of the stem 

 and leaves, mixed equally with white wine, is used for dropsy, when 

 other remedies fail. With bismuth, it gives a golden color to wool. 



The plant requires a light rich soil, rather moist, well dug and ma- 

 nured ; the sets are planted with a dibble, 4 feet between the rows, 

 and 2 in the row, giving them watet occasionally, if dry, and keeping 

 them free from weeds. In autumn the large decayed leaves are re- 

 moved, and the rows manured, and in cold weather they are protected 

 by earth. In spring, a few are left for shoots. Sea-weed is a good 

 manure for this plant. It is cultivated in England in gardens, chiefly 

 of the higher classes, by whom it is considered a luxury. It is still 

 more cultivated on the continent. The florets are bent down for seed, 

 to prevent rotting. 



The Cardoon, the name of which has been applied to the Jerusalem 

 artichoke, is considered as belonging to asparasinous plants. The 

 stems and young leaves are blanched and rendered crisp and mild; and 

 they are also used in soups and salads in the S. of Europe. Leaves 



