20 THE BOOK OF RARER VEGETABLES 
every way. Some varieties are not nearly as hardy 
as others, but the Tours is one of the best in this 
respect. The best Cardoon I ever grew was from some 
seed given me by a celebrated traveller. It was a reddish 
stem or leaf-stalk not unlike the Marseilles, but much 
smaller, and of such a tender nature it was soon injured 
by cold. I was unable afterwards to get it true from 
home-grown seed, as it produced inferior stock. The 
Marseilles is a red stemmed Cardoon, having large leaves 
and smooth, and a solid stalk of good quality. The 
Puvis is a very large grower, having a thick leaf-stalk, 
very solid, and a thick or close leaf growth with very 
few spines ; it is also a free grower that does not soon 
run to seed, and when cooked it is considered one of the 
best. This I consider one of the best for ordinary garden 
culture, as, owing to the spineless or nearly spineless 
nature, it is much better and more readily handled. The 
above comprise the best known kinds, and the selection 
will be considered quite large enough for ordinary 
purposes. 
The plant needs more space than many other vege- 
tables. Its culture is not well known, and the plant is 
much better when raised under glass and planted out, 
getting a longer season’s growth if this is done. A 
warm, well-drained soil, well enriched with manure, in 
an open position, is the best. Doubtless, in this country, 
the trench system in the same way as Asparagus is grown 
is the most reliable. Seed may be sown in pots under 
glass for an early supply in March, or early in April to 
plant out the end of May. Many good cultivators sow in 
heat, but I do not advise it, as given merely glass or 
cold frame shelter at the start, a sturdier plant is 
obtained and there is less risk at the planting out. 
At the start very little moisture is required till the 
seedlings have germinated, and it is well to sow these 
seeds in small pots ; and when these are well above 
