296 CULTIVATED VEGETABLES. 



cheap, hath, says Parkinson (in 1629), rather 

 bred a loathing than a liking of them. 



Coles observes in his History of Plants, 

 that " The potatoes of Canada, called by 

 ignorant people Jerusalem artichokes, were 

 of great account when they were first received 

 amongst us; but by reason of their great 

 increase they are become common, and con- 

 sequently despicable, especially by those 

 which think nothing good unless it be dear; 

 but if any one please to put them into boil- 

 ing water, they will quickly become tender, 

 so that, being peeled, sliced, and stewed with 

 butter, and a little wine, they will be as 

 pleasant as the bottom of an artichoke." 



These roots seem to have been disesteemed 

 from their ventosity, and watery qualities ; 

 but when properly cooked, and eaten with 

 moderation, they may be considered as safe 

 as most other vegetables. The root near- 

 ly resembles the flavour of the artichoke 

 bottom, on which account they are as im- 

 properly called Artichokes, as they are ab- 

 surdly named Jerusalem. 



This vegetable is propagated by planting 

 out the smaller roots, or pieces of the larger 

 which have buds to them, in the manner of 

 potatoes. The stem grows to a considerable 



