JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE. 215 



JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE. 



( HELI ANTHTJS TUBEROSUS. ) 



This plant is a native of Brazil and other tropical 

 American countries. Like the Irish potato, it is grown 

 for its under-ground tuber. It was thought at the 

 time of its introduction to cultivation that it would 

 supersede the Irish potato, but it has not proven even 

 a noteworthy rival. Some people are fond of its par- 

 ticular flavor, but others find it distasteful. As a 

 flavoring material it meets with greater favor in this 

 country. Its nutritive ratio is about equal to that of 

 the Irish potato. 



Several successful experiments have been made with 

 it in connection with swine feeding, but other crops 

 which give a greater return for labor expended can be 

 raised so easily that this one will not obtain general 

 favor. 



The seed may be obtained from the seedsmen and 

 comes in the form of tubers ; these are dropped in 

 the soil much as potatoes. Bows are made three to 

 four feet apart and the tubers planted a foot apart in 

 the row. The cultivation is about the same as for or 

 dinary field crops. As soon as the tubers become firm 

 and large in the fall they may be used for cooking, and 

 will be in good condition until they begin to sprout, in 

 the spring. The harvesting may be done by plowing 

 out the row and then picking the tubers up that are in 

 sight. A harrow is then run over the furrow to drag 

 out as many more as is practicable. Hogs may then 

 be turned into the field to gather what is left. If they 

 are not left in the field too long, tubers enough will be 

 left to produce plants for another year, but these will 

 not be in rows, so they cannot be cultivated as the year 

 before. This difficulty may be avoided by saving seed 

 enough to plant the field again. 



