158 The Sunflower. 



I have tried several modes of cultivating the Artichoke. The 

 plan I would recommend is, to put the ground in good order, as 

 for potatoes or corn ; then with a plow open furrows four inches 

 deep and three feet apart, as straight as possible, so that a plow 

 or cultivator can work between, close to the rows. Then drop 

 the sets ten inches apart in the furrows — if large sets are used, 

 they can be cut into pieces of three or four eyes each, like pota- 

 toes — then cover with a plow, and smooth with a light harrow. 



The after culture to consist of a thorough harrowing about the 

 time the first plants make their appearance, followed by two or 

 three dressings with a cultivator, at suitable intervals during the 

 early part of summer — nothing more is necessary to insure a 

 good crop. 



I generally leave the crop in the ground till the frost is out in 

 the spring. I then plow the ground and gather all the roots that 

 can be found, then plow again and gather again. When all are 

 gathered that can be found in this way, there will be enough 

 roots left to fill the ground with plants for a new crop. When 

 the young plants appear above ground, all that is necessary to be 

 done, is to go through with a cultivator, and cut them up in such 

 a manner as to leave rows as when first planted. By repeating 

 this cultivation two or three times, the work will be done for a 

 second crop. • 



It is advisable to plant Artichokes where they can remain 

 quite a number of years, as it is difficult to eradicate the roots 

 from the ground ; and besides, the trouble and expense of re- 

 planting is thereby avoided. 



It will, of course, be necessary to manure the ground occa- 

 sionally, unless it is uncommonly rich. This can easily be done 

 immediately after gathering the crop in the spring. 



The classical origin of the Sunflower is given as follows : — 

 Clytie, daughter of Oceanus, was very jealous of Apollo, and 

 deeply affected by his inconstancy, she brooded so long on her 

 misfortune, as gradually to pine away and die. At a solemn 

 conclave held at Qlympus, she was changed into a Sunflower, 

 and bearing his likeness, still turns to her beloved as he daily 

 pursues his course, giving thus a perpetual token of her un- 

 changing and devoted affection. Moore says : 



The Sunflower turns to her god when he sets 

 The same look which she turned when he rose. 



