112 



GARDEN FARMING 



The globe artichoke is not common in American gardens out- 

 side of California and the South Atlantic and Gulf States, and 

 even there it is cultivated only to a limited extent. The plant is 

 not hardy, unless protected, north of the latitude of Charleston, 

 South Carolina, but with suitable winter protection can be success- 

 fully wintered at Washington. 



One thing which has had an unfavorable influence on the cul- 

 tivation of the globe artichoke in this country has been the use 



of seedling plants. Seed- 

 lings are. very variable 

 some are good, but most 

 are mediocre. Few of the 

 desirable French varieties 

 have been imported, and 

 no effort has been made to 

 develop high-grade seed- 

 ling sorts in this coun- 

 try. This plant, like many 

 others, does not "come 

 true " from seed. High- 

 grade sorts can, therefore, 

 be propagated only from 

 suckers or by division of 

 the crown. The limited 

 demand for this vegetable 



FIG. 34. Globe artichoke Jn Qur markets hag up to 



this time tended to cause our gardeners to neglect it ; but as the 

 demand grows, French sorts will be introduced or good seedling 

 varieties developed in this country to meet the need. 



The globe artichoke thrives best in a mild climate in a deep, 

 well-enriched sandy loam. Abundant moisture is essential during 

 the growing period ; but the plant is difficult to winter on wet lands, 

 and good drainage is therefore necessary for permanency. 



As has been suggested, globe artichokes are propagated both 

 from seed and from suckers. Plants started from seed in February 

 or March in hotbeds or greenhouses, and set in the field after 

 danger from frost has passed, often bear edible products the first 

 season. Suckers, if removed early and immediately planted in rich, 



