91, PERENNIAL 



^'^ CROPS 



Although the artichoke is perennial, it weakens 

 after yielding two or three crops, so that it is 

 well to replant part of the bed each year, thus 

 keeping a succession of vigorous plants. In cold 

 climates the heads are protected during the 

 winter with a mulch of straw or litter. When 

 boiled tender and served with Hollandaise sauce, 

 made of melted butter and flour, the artichoke 

 is a delicious vegetable, but it is comparatively 

 little known in this country. 



The Jerusalem artichoke is grown for its 

 tubers, which 'are underground as in potatoes, 

 and it needs much the same preparation and 

 tillage as potatoes. It is usually fed to stock, 

 especially pigs, but of late it is coming to be 

 recognized as a good food for man, too. " If 

 you will feed the pig, the pig will feed you," 

 but we need not go through that troublesome 

 process; for a varied vegetable diet alone is 

 healthy for most persons — and much cheaper. 



Artichokes are really more nourishing than 

 potatoes, and the improved varieties may be 

 used in place of potatoes. The plant is perfectly 

 hardy, being native to the Northern States and 

 Canada, and will take care of itself when once 

 started, although it is better for having its roots 

 divided, by digging them up. It wiU run wild, 

 if wholly neglected, and become a troublesome 



