On the Jermalem Artichoke, as a Food for Pheamnts. 451 
fairest prospect of a continuance of it. Plenty of fine young wood will 
soon break forth in all parts of the tree, so that in about three or four 
years, if judiciously attended to, (cutting out the spur as a well placed 
shoot is produced to take its place) but few persons could tell that the 
tree had ever been spur-trained. 
Trees so managed, are pictures which every one who is fond of seeing 
well-trained trees, would delight in ; and from their vigorous growth, 
and being less liable to casualties and disease, that any other of our fruit 
trees, it is a pleasure to manage them, and they are soon x\\zA& ■perma- 
nently fine and most useful trees. 
It is but doing justice, to state here, that I received die first suggestion 
of my favorite method, from T. A. Knight, Esq. the very amiable and able 
President of the London Horticultural Society, about twenty years ago. 
He has confined himself much more to the short spurring ; whilst I have 
taken more to the young wood system ; — as, by that method, I find I can 
produce a larger and a handsomer tree. 
If it is not trespassing too much on the pages of your very useful Re- 
gister, by so long a communication, I should be glad to see this inserted 
in one of your earliest numbers ; as I flatter myself, that to young gar- 
deners, it will not be a subject of the least importance which you have 
published. 
Wishing the Register every success, 
I remain. Gentlemen, your sincere well-wisher, 
John Mearns. 
Presteigne, Jan. 29, 1832. 
Article XI. — Oit the Cultivation of the Jerusalem Arti- 
choke, (Helianthus tubeiosus) as a Food for Pheasants. 
By Mr. George Stafford, Gardener to Richard 
Arkwright, Esq., Willersley - Castle, near Cromford, 
Derbyshire. 
Gentlemen, 
I HAVE long been aware that the Jerusalem Artichoke, 
might be cultivated to great advantage as a winter food for pheasants ; 
having once had an opportunity of witnessing its effects in drawing 
these desirable birds to a suitable situation, where I had left the roots 
in the ground for the winter, as is mostly the case. 
The premises where these roots were grown, were so destitute of 
pheasants, that the spring previous to this occurrence, a few birds 
were procured, to turn out for breeding. Towards the approach of 
