KITCHEN-GARDEN PLANTS. CHAP. 



outer garden. One row of clumps along under that 

 hedge, and at three feet from it, would contain fifty 

 clumps, which would, if well cultivated, produce enough 

 for any family in the world. The artichoke is a large, 

 rude and tall thing, and, thus situated, it would not in- 

 tercept the view of prettier crops. If part of that shady 

 hedge were wanted for other things, you might have two 

 rows of Artichokes, extending half the length of the 

 row before mentioned. Those who are very fond of Arti- 

 chokes might have some few clumps in an earlier spot ; 

 and, to have them late in the year, the latest should be 

 cut off with stems as long as possible, and these stems 

 stuck into moist earth or sand in a cool shed or in a 

 cellar 5 preserved in which manner, many people have 

 them to eat in January. There are two sorts of this plant, 

 the difference of which consists, I believe, solely in the 

 fruit, or rather of the flower j for, after all, the seed is 

 the fruit. One of these sorts bear a conical head, and 

 the other a head which is round. The latter is larger 

 than the former, but I never heard that there was any 

 difference in the quality. If you wish to save the seed 

 of this plant, you ought to let some of the earliest heads 

 remain uncut, they will flower like a thistle in the sum- 

 mer, and the seed very much like that of the Sun-flower, 

 will be ripe in the Fall. Gather it when perfectly dry, 

 rub it out of the husk, and put it by in a very dry place, 

 where it will keep good for three years at the least. 



120. ASPARAGUS. This plant is raised from seed 

 only. It is contained in small berries which are first 

 green and then red, each of which contains two or 

 three black seeds which are ripe in the month of Octo- 



