Artichoke, Jerusalem 



( 76 ) 



Artificial Manures 



ations are more profitable. Summer treatment 

 consists of the frequent use of the hoe, the re- 

 moval of weak suckers, and an occasional supply 

 of liquid manure. In the autumn all plants that 

 are intended to remain for another season should 

 receive attention. Remove the old flowering stems 

 and decayed leaves, and place 3" or 4" of finely 

 sifted coal ashes round each clump. In severe 

 weather add to this a further mulch of strawy 

 litter, leaves, or Bracken. This may be cleared 

 away in March, and a dressing of manure given. 

 There is no need to remove the ashes, as Artichokes 

 have a particular liking for them, and they may be 

 forked into the soil with the manure. 



Guards. These are the blanched summer 

 growths of Globe Artichokes, and the blanching 

 operation takes six or eight weeks. After the 

 best heads have been cut, early in July, the stems 

 and leaves must be- cut down, and when the new 

 growth is about 2' high it should be bound round 

 with wreaths of straw, and soil or litter be drawn 

 round the stems of the plants. 



Varieties. There are several varieties in culti- 

 vation, including the Large Green Globe, Green 

 Globe, and Purple Globe. The former is one of 

 the best, being rounded at the points and free 

 from prickles ; it is more tender than the other 

 two mentioned, which are very good for general 

 purposes. 



ARTICHOKE, JERUSALEM. 



Description. The tubers (Helianthus tuberosus, 

 ord. Composite) are cooked in several ways, and 

 make a palatable dish. During the summer the 

 plants make effective screens, and afford protec- 

 tion for more tender crops. 



Propagation. From medium sized tubers planted 

 in the autumn or spring. 



Soil. Any ordinary garden soil will suffice, but 

 Jerusalem Artichokes flourish best where the root- 

 ing medium is light. 



Other Cultural Points. The ground should be 

 dug deeply and manured, if at all poor, before 

 planting. Select medium sized tubers, and plant 

 them 2' apart in rows 3' asunder, burying them to 

 a depth of 6". The only attention required during 

 the growing period is an occasional hoeing, and 

 earthing up the soil to the stems if it is of a light 

 character. About the middle of November cut the 

 stems down and lift the crop. Select the largest 

 and best shaped tubers for use, storing them in 

 sand under cover, or pitting them in the open. 

 Reserve the smaller tubers for making fresh plant- 

 ations. Care should be taken to lift the whole of 

 the crop, as the smallest piece of tuber left in the 

 ground will vegetate, and growth appear the 

 following spring. For this reason annual lifting 

 and planting are desirable, or the crop becomes 

 difficult to eradicate, and the tubers degenerate in 

 size and quality. 



Varieties. There are several varieties of the 

 species Helianthus tuberosus, the older forms 

 having purple or reddish skinned tubers. A white 

 skinned variety of modern introduction is superior 

 in shape and quality to the old one, and equally as 

 prolific. 



ARTIFICIAL MANURES. 



The term " artificial " is commonly applied to all 

 forms of concentrated fertilisers, some of which 

 are artificial or chemical, and others animal pro- 

 ductions. A simple and more correct method is 

 to classify these fertilisers as "organic" and " in- 



organic," the former being applied to substances 

 which represent material of which some animal 

 or vegetable life has been composed, and the latter 

 having no connection with anything that has had 

 life. 



Classification. In order to be practical it is well 

 to divide concentrated fertilisers into three classes 

 phosphatic, potassic, and nitrogenous; these 

 being the three chief plant foods. Phosphates 

 promote fruitfulness, and in garden and orchard 

 the provision of phosphoric acid is the first 

 essential for the best results. Potash plays an 

 important part in the production of quality ; size, 

 colour, and flavour in fruits and vegetables are 

 largely due to it. Nitrogen promotes growth, and 

 is responsible for density of colour in leaves and 

 vigour of plants. A combination of the above 

 fertilisers makes up a complete manure. There 

 are numerous specially prepared mixtures on the 

 market, but the most economical method is to buy 

 the ingredients, and mix them in the required 

 proportions. 



Principal Phosphatic Fertilisers : 



Basic slag is an excellent phosphatic manure 

 for applying to soil which lacks lime and contains 

 plenty of humus. It is obtained in the process of 

 converting pig iron into steel, and its value depends 

 partly on its fineness. It should be applied 

 in the winter as a top-dressing on lawns and 

 pastures, and be dug into the subsoil for vegetables 

 and fruit crops at the rate of about 7 Ib. to the 

 square rod (30j square yards). 



Bone flour is an excellent fertiliser, particularly 

 for heavy soil, and it is good for mixing with 

 compost for Vine borders and pot plants. Bone 

 flour should be finely ground to be of the greatest 

 value, and though somewhat slow its effects are 

 lasting. 



SuperphmpJiate (mineral) is a cheap and ex- 

 cellent phosphatic manure for general garden 

 purposes. A good sample should be dull grey in 

 colour, dry, and powdery. It may be dug into the 

 soil prior to cropping, and be applied as a surface 

 dressing to fruit and vegetables in the spring. 



Potassic Manures : 



Kainit is a soluble salt, and the cheapest com- 

 mercial form of potash. A good sample contains 

 about 12 per cent, of potash, and in mixture with 

 superphosphate it makes a valuable fertiliser. 



Sulphate of potash is a purified form of kainit, 

 and, being nearly four times as rich in potash, 

 much smaller quantities are required. If potash 

 is wanted during the growing season the sulphate 

 is the best to apply. It is an excellent manure for 

 Strawberries. 



Muriate of potash is a powerful potassic manure, 

 which gives excellent results on certain soils, both 

 with fruit and vegetables. It is more expensive 

 and powerful than kainit, and should be used with 

 care. In conjunction with superphosphate it has 

 been found good for Apples. 



Nitrogenous Manures : 



Nitrate of Soda. A quickly soluble and power- 

 ful manure, that is shipped in large quantities from 

 South America, and contains about 15 per cent, of 

 nitrogen. It is best used as a separate dressing, 

 applying phosphate and potash early in the 

 season, and following with light surface dressings 

 of nitrate, say about 1 Ib. per square rod at inter- 

 vals, to stimulate growth. 



Sulphate of Ammonia, This is a waste product 

 from gas and ironworks, and has the same effect 



