"20 



111 : Month of August. 



A' : About 6 months after sowing, in January. 



VII : Cultivated for the sake of the blanched leaf-stalks and mid- 

 ribs of the inner leaves (chard), which are used as a salad, in soups 

 or more generally as a boiled vegetable : It is a wholesome esculent 

 from which a skilful cook will present an excellent dish. The flowers, 

 after being dried, as well as the seed, possess the property of coagulat- 

 ing milk. Used instead of rennet they produce a comparatively inferioV 

 quality of cheese. 



VII : A perennial but treated as annual under cultivation A. near 

 relative of the Artichoke it differs in taller more "prickly growth and 

 smaller heads, A rich loamy soil thoroughly worked and well 

 stocked with f. y.-_ manure. Should Jiave abundant moisture supply, for 

 it must make continuous and strong growth. When the leaves arc 

 nearly full grown, in December, they are tied together near the top 

 and earth is banked against Ihem. This is to blanch the plant, for 

 il is inedible unless so treated. 



Cynara scolymus ; Kharshouf or Kharshofali ; Artichoke; 

 Compositae 



II : Generally it is obtained by suckers (Khilfa) which are freely 

 produced about the crown of the plant. X 4 kerats of suckers are 

 required to plant a fdn. Ridges 3 feet apart and the same distance 

 between the suckers. Suckers should be planted when about 1 foot 

 high; pu! them rather do-op and tread in firm. 



III : August -and September ; better early. 



"\ : Begins -1 5 months alter planting plentiful in January ; 

 picking continues during 2 4 months; it depends on many circnms- 

 lanees and generally the earlier the suckers are planted the longer 

 the plants keep harvest in;. 1 . 



VII : Cultivated for the sake of the immature flower-heads, the 

 receptacle or Bottom* of the head being the most important part. 

 The flower-stalks when tender are also 'eaten and the hearts often 

 blanched after the mannei' of Cardoons and used for the same in 

 cocking. Heads ought to be -picked before the flower expands, they 

 are !>e-l served, boiled. Not much eaten : by natives. Dried flo we .'sand 1 

 seed have the property of curdling milk. 



