ARTICHOKE. 33 



between and on each side of the plants, so as to level the 



ridges, giving them, at the same time, a neat rounding form ; 

 finish by casting uj) v^dth a shovel the loose earth out of the 

 bottom of the trenches evenly over the ridges, in order that 

 the water occasioned by heavy rains, &c., may immediately 

 run off; on which account the trenches ought to have a gen- 

 tle decUvity, as the lodgment of water about the roots 'n 

 winter is the greatest evil and danger to which they are expos- 

 ed, even gi-eater than the most severe frosts to which we are 

 subject. 



The beds are to Remain so, until there is an appearance 

 of hard frost, when they should be covered with hght dung, 

 litter, leaves of trees, or the like, the better to preserve the 

 crowns and roots from its rigour. In this manner, the roots 

 will remain in perfect safety all the winter. As soon as the 

 very severe frosts are over, the beds must be uncovered, and 

 when you perceive the young shoots begin to appear above 

 gi'ound, or rather when they are one or two inches up, then, 

 and not till then, proceed to level down the beds, throwing 

 the earth into the alleys or trenches, and round them in a 

 neat .manner ; then dig in the short manure, and loosen all 

 the earth around the plants. At the same time, examine the 

 number of shoots arising on each stool, and select three of 

 the strongest and heaUhiest looking on every stool, which are 

 to remain ; all above that number are to be slipped off close 

 to the roots vdth the hand, unless you want some to make 

 new plantations with, in which case an extra number for that 

 purpose are to remain on the parent plants, until they are 

 about eight or ten inches high from their roots, or junction 

 with the old plants, when they are to be slipped off, and 

 planted in a bed prepared in the same manner as directed 

 for the young plants, taking care, at the same time, to close 

 the earth about the crowns of the roots, and draw it up a 

 little to the remaining suckers. 



Observe, the spring dressing is to be given when the plants 

 are in the above-described state, whether that happens in 



3 



