Gardening for Amateurs 



1061 



their fruits, notably the Tomato, Pea, Bean, 

 etc., need phosphatic manures, and the 

 best way of applying these is in the form 

 of superphosphate of lime and bone dust. 

 Lime is chiefly valuable for the quality it 

 possesses of setting free other substances in 

 the soil for assimilation by the roots of 

 plants. It does most good in land which 

 has had much yard manure ; it corrects 

 acidity and sweetens sour soils. 

 



Artichoke, Chinese. This is not unlike 

 a miniature Jerusalem Artichoke. It is well 

 worth growing for an occasional change, and 

 is planted in spring, about 3 inches deep and 

 9 inches apart. The roots are taken up in 

 autumn. They are prepared for use by being 

 boiled until tender, then fried until crisp, 

 and served with Parsley sauce and slices of 

 lemon. 



Artichoke, Globe. This plant is a 

 perennial, and although ordinarily hardy in 

 this country, should be protected during 

 winter by strawy litter spread over its roots 

 and around its base. It delights in well- 

 drained, warm, rich soil and a sunny posi- 

 tion. Propagation is by offsets which spring 

 from the base of the plant, also from seed ; 

 but the latter way is not recommended, as 

 the varieties do not come true. Planting is 

 carried out in April, the plants being placed 

 about 4 feet apart. After three or four years 

 it is usual to make a fresh start by taking up 

 the old plants in late spring, detaching the 

 offsets which form at the base, each with a 

 few roots, and replanting them. Compara- 

 tively young plants produce the best Arti- 

 chokes. The part of the plant consumed is 

 the undeveloped flower-head, which is com- 

 posed of scales or sheaths containing the 

 flowers. They must be cooked whilst quite 

 young and tender, or they soon become 

 stringy and useless. Veitch's Green Globe is 

 one of the best. 



Artichoke, Jerusalem. This is a hardy 

 herbaceous perennial, which produces annu- 

 ally a heavy and useful crop of tubers, some- 

 thing like a Potato in shape, but longer and 

 rougher. It succeeds well in almost any posi- 

 tion, and is not particular as to soil. It forms 

 an excellent screen in summer, as the stems 

 reach a height of from 7 to 9 feet, and the 

 foliage, which dies down in autumn, is large 



and dense. The roots are appreciated by 

 many as a vegetable, and are often used in 

 making soup. Plant the roots 5 or 6 inches 

 deep and 12 inches apart in rows 2 feet wide 

 in February or early in March. They need 

 not be disturbed for several years. The 

 tubers may be dug as required during winter, 

 but it is wise to cover part of the ground 

 above them with straw, otherwise in the 



A small collection of excellent vegetables. 



event of sharp frost they cannot be taken up. 

 Sutton's White is an excellent variety. 



Asparagus. This is a British plant, native 

 of the sea shore. Light, sandy, loamy soil 

 suits it best. It does not thrive on clay 

 soil, unless the ground is thoroughly drained 

 and the bed in which it is planted is raised 

 6 inches or so. Seaweed is found to be an 

 excellent manure for Asparagus, and is mixed 

 with the soil at the bottom of the bed and 

 well trodden. Those having suitable land 

 near the sea, where seaweed is available 

 and cheap, should make a point of planting 



