178 SCHOOL AND HOME GAEDENING 



Beans, beets, carrots, sweet corn, egg-plant, endive, kale, let- 

 tuce, onion, parsley, parsnips, peas, peppers, radish, Swiss 

 chard, spinach, tomato and turnip. 



Artichoke. — The plant is perennial, but is grown from 

 seeds. Suckers from the best plants may be taken off and 

 set in garden rows about three feet apart each way. 



The plant is said to be of French origin, and is sometimes 

 called French artichoke to distinguish from the Jerusalem 

 artichoke. The flower heads are edible. Fleshy scales from 

 the sides and lower part of the head are used for salad or 

 cooked like asparagus. 



In the northern states, winter protection in the form of 

 leaves or other litter is required to prevent winter killing. 

 Edible heads may be obtained the second or third year from 

 seeding. 



Artichoke, Jerusalem. — This plant belongs to the sun- 

 flower family and has potato-like tubers which may be used in 

 the propagation of the plants. They are hardy perennials. 

 Even the tubers will stand freezing in the ground. The tubers 

 are edible, being much relished by all who have learned to like 

 them. They are also frequently used as roots for hogs. For 

 the latter purpose they may be planted where hogs can pasture 

 in late fall. 



Asparagus. — The crop is one of the earliest of spring 

 vegetables, and should be found in every school garden and 

 home garden. For school gardens, the best plan is to get 

 strong plants and set them in rows three or four feet apart, 

 with the plants eight to twelve inches apart in the rows. 

 Asparagus needs rich, well-drained soil, but the plant thrives 

 best with a large quantity of stable manure. This should be 

 placed on top after planting, and more added each fall for 

 the young shoots to come through in the spring. The planting 

 should be deep enough to leave the crowns four to six inches 

 below the surface. Each fall, before top dressing with manure, 

 the surface above the crowns may be plowed or spaded over. 



