14 On the Varieties of Cardoon, §c 



diameter, beginning at the root, and continuing to about two 

 thirds of its height, covering the whole so as to prevent the 

 earth, when applied to it, coming in contact with the ribs of 

 the leaves. If the Cardoons are to be used early, and before 

 frost sets in, the plants may remain thus banded without 

 earthing up, and will become sufficiently blanched for use. 

 But if there is any danger of their being exposed to frost, 

 then it is necessary that they should be earthed up in the 

 same manner as Celery ; care being taken not to raise the 

 earth higher than the haybands. 



A more common practice is, instead of using haybands, 

 simply to tie the leaves together with matting, and then to 

 earth up the plants like Celery ; the first earthing to be in 

 the beginning of October, and then repeated once a fort- 

 night until the plants are sufficiently covered. Upon com- 

 parison of the plants thus treated in the Garden of the 

 Horticultural Society, with those blanched by haybands, 

 the latter have been ascertained to be superior both in 

 colour and in the greater length of the parts blanched. 



A French method of blanching has also been tried in the 

 Society's Garden ; it was done in the following manner : — The 

 bottom of the plant was first moulded up a little, the leaves 

 were then tied together with packthread, and the whole 

 nearly to the top was enveloped with a quantity of long clean 

 straw, placed in the direction of its length, and then tied 

 round with strong matting or small ropes ; the leaves were 

 thus blanched without being earthed up, and speedily became 

 white. The process is good, and affords a neat appearance, 

 but it is more troublesome than that first mentioned, and 

 much more expensive, because if frost is to be excluded 



