VEGETABLES DESCRIPTION AND CULTURE. 



261 



CHAPTER XV. 



VEGETABLES DESCRIPTION AND CULTURE. 



ARTICHOKE.— (Cynara Scolymus.) 



The garden artichoke is a perennial plant, a native of 

 the south of Europe, where it has been in cultivation from 

 the time of the Romans. Columella mentions it, and says 



its name — Cynara — is from 

 cinere (ashes), because the soil 

 >^^|^^^\^k \ for artichokes should be 

 r 1/< -^^>'-A dressed with ashes. The planl 



resembles an overgrown this- 

 tle, but is more beautiful; has 

 large, pinnatifid leaves, three 

 or four feet long, covered 

 with an ash-colored down. 

 The eatable portion is the un- 

 developed flower head, which 

 is only fit for use before it 

 begins to open its bloom; it 

 is about the size and some- 

 ^ what the shape of a small 

 pineapple. 



As the artichoke is a native 

 of a hot climate, it is per- 

 fectly adapted to the temper- 

 ature of the South, and is hardy throughout the Union. It 

 adds a pleasant variety to our early summer luxuries, 

 and should be in more general cultivation. 



There are three varieties — the Globe, the Oval Green, 

 and the Purple. The first has dull purplish heads with 

 scales turned in at the top, and is most esteemed, the 



Fig. 100— Artichoke. 



