164 



GARDENING FOR THE SOUTH. 



freezes deeply. Cut away the old leaves without injuring 

 the centre or side shoots, dig the ground over, and throw 

 the soil in a low broad ridge over each row, putting it 

 close about the plants, but leaving the hearts clear. As 

 soon as the shoots appear four or five inches above the 

 surface, the ridges thrown up must be levelled and the 

 earth removed from about the stock to below the part 

 whence the young shoots spring. Remove all these shoots 

 but two, or at most three, leaving the most vigorous, 

 taking care to select those lowest down on the stock, as 

 the strong, thick ones from the crown have hard woody 

 stems, and produce but indifferent heads. 



Although the artichoke is a perennial, yet after the fifth 

 year, the heads grow small and dry. The beds should in 

 consequence be broken up at this time, or as soon as they 

 begin to fail, and fresh ones be formed on another site. 



As the newly-made beds come into flower after the sea- 

 son for the old plants is over, those fond of this vegetable 

 will prefer to make a new plantation every year. 



Artichokes are made to attain a much larger size than 

 they otherwise would by twisting a ligature tightly 

 around the stem below each head, and thus preventing 

 the reflux of the sap. 



The artichoke is much benefited by the application of 

 sea-weed or any other manure containing common salt. 

 This is probably in a great measure because salt keeps the 

 soil moist. 



Chards. — After the best heads have been cut, when old 

 plantations are to be destroyed, cut off the stems as low 

 as possible, and the leaves within six inches of the ground. 

 "When the new leaves are two feet high, blanch them, as 

 directed for Cardoons, which many think they excel. 



For Seed. — Select a few of the finest heads and permit 

 them to flower. Bend over the stalk and tie the head to 

 a small stake, to prevent the water from settling among the 

 expanded scales. When the flower has withered, the 



