308 DRY LAND FARMING 



Place in the rotation. When artichokes are grown 

 for but one year, the place in the rotation is virtually the 

 same as for potatoes. But in some instances they are 

 grown on the same la*nd from year to year and without 

 replanting. Moreover, the natural order for artichokes 

 in the rotation is after a crop of small grain and also 

 before a crop of the same. 



Preparing the land. The preparation of the land is 

 about the same as for potatoes (see p. 292). But since 

 artichokes may be grown on the same land from year to 

 year, it is a matter of considerable importance that the 

 ground shall be deeply plowed and that the preparation 

 shall be thorough where the crop is to be grown thus. 



Planting. The common Jerusalem artichoke is the 

 variety that is chiefly grown and that is best adapted to 

 arid conditions. But under specially favorable conditions 

 other varieties give larger returns. The time most com- 

 monly chosen for planting is the early spring, but in 

 many instances the sets are planted in the fall. When 

 planted in the fall, it has been found better to plant 

 whole, but when planted in the spring the tubers may 

 be cut as in the case of potatoes. Fall planting usually 

 takes place late in the season and spring planting quite 

 early. The advantages from fall planting are: first, that 

 the work of planting may be done at a time when work 

 is not pressing, and, second, that the crop is ready to 

 grow as soon as the season for growth comes. Though 

 these tubers should be frozen in the soil, their vitality 

 is not destroyed, and, unless in instances of extreme freez- 

 ing, it is not in any sense injured. 



The tubers may be planted, as in the case of potatoes, 

 by hand or with the planter, in hills 3 to 3^ feet distant 

 or in rows of similar distance. They should be far enough 

 apart to admit of easy cultivation with the cultivators 

 ordinarily used. 



