March.] THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 213 
spikes of white flowers. Its roots afford a gentle purge, but is of 
much inferior quality to the former, and may be cultivated the 
same way as directed for that. 
Tart Rhubarb {Rheum Rhaponticum). 
The seeds should be sown this month in a rich sandy soil; and if 
the plants come up too thick, thin them; a good method for doing so 
is to let them stand in stools four feet distant every way, two or 
three plants in each, as it is more convenient for blanching, which 
is very easily done in the following manner: clear the ground 
around them from the old leaves or stems, place a large size flower 
pot or small keg over each stool, and then cover it about two feet 
thick all around with good warm manure, and it will be finely 
blanched by the beginning of May. The plants for this purpose 
should be three years old. Many persons do not take this trouble, 
but it will more than repay, being much greater in quantity and 
better in quality than if suffered to grow naturally, and the stalks 
used without blanching. It is much more esteemed now for pies 
and tarts than formerly, and is considered very wholesome for chil- 
dren: in many parts of England it is stewed and used as apple 
butter is here. 
The Jerusalem Artichoke. 
The helianthus tuberosus, or tuberous-rooted sunflower, com- 
monly called the Jerusalem artichoke. "This root," says Parkin- 
son, an ancient English writer, "our ancestors boiled tender, and 
then being pealed, ate them sliced and stewed with butter, wine 
and spices — thus they were a dainty for a queen, being as pleasant 
as the bottom of an artichoke;" hence probably that name origi- 
nated, as they bear not the least resemblance in growth to an 
artichoke. 
The roots being the eatable part, are large fleshy tubers, much 
resembling a potato, are in perfection in autumn and all the winter, 
and are wholesome palatable food when properly dressed. 
They are raised by sets or cuttings of the root, preparing the 
sets and planting them as directed for potatoes, in rows three feet 
asunder, four or five inches deep, and eighteen inches distant from 
one another in the rows: they increase abundantly, will thrive in 
any tolerable soil, and cannot be easily got out of the ground again, 
for the least bit will grow. It is a native of Brazil, and a striking 
instance of how tropical productions may gradually and success- 
fully be introduced and naturalized in colder climates. 
SOUTHERN STATES. 
This is a very principal month in the southern states for garden- 
ing; all manner of work hitherto directed, may now be performed 
there successfully. In South Carolina and Georgia they may now 
sow the seeds of melons, cucumbers, squashes, tomatos, egg-plants, 
okras, red peppers, &c., as directed in the kitchen garden for April 
and May. 
