198 VEGETABLES. 



three strong crowns left to each plant. Protection should be 

 afforded to the plants in winter by placing dry leaves and 

 litter around them, which should be removed in spring, and 

 a good dressing of rotted manure forked into the soil without 

 disturbing the roots. As soon as the heads are formed 

 they should be thinned, leaving one on each stalk. The plants 

 should then be watered with liquid manure, to increase the 

 size of the head. They should be exhibited when fully de- 

 veloped, but close and firm. The points of merit are : (1.) 

 Size of head; (2.) substance of the bracts; (3.) colour (green 

 preferred) and fitness for use. 



THE JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE. 



This is an excellent winter vegetable, which can be appro- 

 priately exhibited La either autumn or spring. It should not 

 be cultivated on strong rich ground, because the top growth 

 attains great dimensions, while the roots are generally small 

 and badly formed. A rather sandy soil should be chosen in 

 a position sheltered from wind, but well exposed to the sun. 

 The best-formed medium-sized roots should be planted during 

 March in rows three feet apart and 18 inches between the sets. 

 Under these conditions, and with frequent drenchings of liquid 

 manure when the tubers are swelling, large, clean, well-shaped 

 roots should be formed. "When the stems have reached four to 

 five feet in height, they should be stopped, and the side-shoots 

 kept close in by pinching. The points of merit are : (1.) Size ; 

 (2 ) form : and (3.) an even sample of tubers. 



THE ASPARAGUS. 



The Asparagus cannot be grown successfully in every kind 

 of soil Where the natural soil is unsuitable a bed should 

 be made up of rich friable loam and well-decomposed manure. 

 Two of the best for exhibition are the Giant and Connover's 

 Colossal. To secure large heads, the plants should be thin 

 on the ground. A heavy dressing of salt should be given 

 to the beds in spring before the heads appear, and sprinklings 

 of guano and nitrate of potash alternately in moist weather 



