THE CULTURE Of VEGETABLES 



GLOBE ARTICHOKE 



(Cynara Scotymus) 



GLOBE ARTICHOKES may be treated as annuals, biennials, or peren- 

 nials, at the discretion of the cultivator. If the seeds are sown in 

 autumn, none will be injured by the winter : and the seedlings that 

 appear in spring will be more vigorous than those from spring-sown 

 seeds. The usual time of sowing, however, is the month of March, 

 and the plants come very quickly after the first kindly shower in April. 

 In a favourable season the yearling plants will flower freely in the 

 autumn, and the few that do not flower will give an early supply in the 

 following year. The simplest routine of cultivation consists in sowing 

 down a plantation annually, and allowing each to stand to the close 

 of the second season : thus keeping two plots going from seeds only, 

 and for every seed-bed making the most liberal preparation. A deep, 

 moist, rich soil is requisite for the production of large fleshy heads, 

 and the plant may be greatly aided by wood ashes and seaweed, for 

 it is partial to saline manures, its home being the sandy sea-shores of 

 Northern Africa. 



To form a permanent plantation, prepare the soil by deep digging 

 and liberal manuring, and sow seeds in March, or plant suckers in 

 April. The distance we have found suitable to insure strong plants 

 is four feet each way, but the market growers usually put out suckers 

 in rows four and a half feet asunder, and two feet apart in the rows. 

 In the case of seeds it will be advisable, either to mark the rows by 

 sowing Rape or Turnip thinly, and at once sow or plant between with 

 lettuce, Dwarf Peas, or Brassicas for planting out ; or to wait until 

 the Artichokes appear, and then sow Dwarf Kidney Beans as a stolen 

 crop. But if suckers are planted and a stolen crop is desired, it must 

 be a quick one, such as Brassicas for planting out, or Round Spinach, 

 or saladings. 



The suckers should be planted when about nine inches high. 

 Put them in rather deep, tread in firmly, and lay on any rough mulch 

 that may be handy. Should the weather be dry they will require 

 watering, and during hot weather water and liquid manure should be 

 given freely to insure a good supply of large heads. Seedling plants 

 that are started well in a suitable bed take better care of themselves 



