JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE. 191 



they throw up sprouts, which may be expected in three 

 or four weeks after planting, these, when about three or 

 four inches above the level of the bed^ may be separated 

 from the parent root and planted out in hills, leaving 

 other shoots to follow for successive plantings. The 

 setting-out must be in beds about four feet apart, each 

 bed or hill being raised nearly a foot above the common 

 level of the ground. Some make continuous banks four 

 feet apart, and plant the sprouts on the top about afoot 

 asunder. After planting, they have to be kept clean of 

 weeds until the vines cover the ground and . prevent 

 further working. A shovelful of some good rotten 

 manure, street dirt, or light compost, should be put into 

 each hill previous to putting out the sets. 



Jerusalem Artichoke {Helicmthus tuherosus) or tu- 

 berous-rooted sunflower. — This plant, which is a native 

 of Brazil, derives its epithet Jerusalem from a corrup- 

 tion of the Italian ijrirasole, sunflower, and Artichoke^ 

 from the resemblance, in flavor, which its tubers bear 

 to the floral receptacles or bottoms of the artichoke. It 

 is propagated by means of its tubers in the manner of 

 potatoes. In March they are planted out in rows three 

 or four feet asunder, and in autumn the new tubers are 

 fit for use. For the sake of convenience, it is advan- 

 tageous to store them, though the roots are hardy 

 enough to bear the winter frosts. Some, indeed, allow 

 them to remain in the ground, and dig them up when 

 required. In this way a suflicient number of sets are 

 generally left in the ground, and the stalks are thinned 

 into rows in summer ; but this is a slovenly mode of treat- 

 ment, and seldom produces well-flavored crops. 



