262 GARDENING FOR THE SOUTH. 



edible parts being larger. Tlie Oval Green is the hardiest 

 sort, and has a conical or ovate head, with pointed scales 

 turned outward. The Purple is earlier than the others, 

 the scales pointed, tinted with purplish red towards their 

 points, but is not so good when cooked. There is also the 

 large green, which grows larger than the common green, 

 and is most esteemed at Paris under the name Qros vert 

 de Laon. The base of the scales of this variety is quite 

 thick and fleshy. 



The ash of the artichoke has been analyzed, and it is 

 found that potash and phosphoric acid are the most 

 abundant constituents, indicating the application of 

 ashes and bone-dust as the best special manures. 



Propagation and Culture. — Artichokes are propagated 

 by seed, or by offsets from the old roots. If by seed, sow 

 in early spring when the peach is in full blossom, in very 

 rich earth, in drills an inch and a half deep, and a foot 

 apart; they do still better by sowing them earlier in a 

 cold-frame. Transplant them when from six to twelve 

 inches high. into a rich soil. If the beds are thinned out 

 by transplanting, so that the plants are left a foot apart 

 in the rows, the rest may remain in the seed bed until 

 fall. The finest heads are produced in a rich, moist loam, 

 and they should be transplanted into such a soil. The 

 best compost is a mixture of three parts well-decomposed 

 manure, and one of leached ashes. The} 7 require an open 

 exposure, free from the shade and drip of trees, or the 

 plants will spindle and produce worthless heads. The 

 rows must be four feet apart, and the plants three feet 

 in the rows. Plants from seed are better and more per- 

 manent than from offsets. 



If propagated by suckers, these must be slipped off in 

 spring from the parent plant, retaining as many fibrous 

 roots as possible. They should be selected when the 

 leaves are eight or ten inches high, and be taken only 



