March.] THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 213 



spikes of white flowers. Its roots aftbrtl a gentle purge, but is of 

 much inferior quality to the former, and may be cultivated the 

 same way as directed for that. 



Tart Rhubarb [Rheum Rhaponticuni). 



The seeds should be sown this month in a rich sandy soil; and if 

 the plants come up too thick, thin them; a good method for doing so 

 is to let them stand in stools four feet distant every way, two or 

 three plants in each, as it is more convenient for blanching, which 

 is very easily done in the following manner: clear the ground 

 around them from the old leaves or stems, place a large size flower 

 pot or small keg over each stool, and then cover it about two feet 

 thick all around with good warm manure, and it will be finely 

 blanched by the beginning of May. The plants for this purpose 

 should be three years old. Many persons do not take this trouble, 

 but it will more than repay, being much greater in quantity and 

 better in quality than if suffered to grow naturally, and the stalks 

 used without blanching. It is much more esteemed now for pies 

 and tarts than formerly, and is considered very wholesome for chil- 

 dren: in many parts of England it is stewed and used as apple 

 butter is here. 



The Jerusalem Artichoke. 



The helianthus tuberosus, or tuberous-rooted sunflower, com- 

 monly called the Jerusalem artichoke. "This root," says Parkin- 

 son, an ancient English writer, "our ancestors boiled tender, and 

 then being pealed, ate them sliced and stewed with butter, wine 

 and spices — thus they were a dainty for a queen, being as pleasant 

 as the bottom of an artichoke;" hence probably that name origi- 

 nated, as they bear not the least resemblance in growth to an 

 artichoke. 



The roots being the eatable part, are large fleshy tubers, much 

 resembling a potato, are in perfection in autumn and all the winter, 

 and are wholesome palatable food when properly dressed. 



They are raised by sets or cuttings of the root, preparing the 

 sets and planting them as directed for potatoes, in rows three feet 

 asunder, four or five inches deep, and eighteen inches distant from 

 one another in the rows: they increase abundantly, will thrive in 

 any tolerable soil, and cannot be easily got out of the ground again, 

 for the least bit will grow. It is a native of Brazil, and a striking 

 instance of how tropical productions may gradually and success- 

 fully be introduced and naturalized in colder climates. 



SOUTHERN STATES. 



This is a very principal month in the southern states for garden- 

 ing; all manner of work hitherto directed, may now be performed 

 there successfully. In South Carolina and Georgia they may now 

 sow the seeds of melons, cucumbers, squashes, tomatos, egu-plants, 

 okras, red peppers, &c, as directed in the kitchen garden for April 

 and May. 



