ARTICHOKE. 
33 
between and on each side of the plants, so as to level the 
ridges, giving them, at the same time, a neat rounding form; 
finish by casting up with a shovel the loose earth out of the 
bottom of the trenches evenly over the ridges, in order that 
the water occasioned by heavy rains, &c., may immediately 
run off ; on which account the trenches ought to have a gen- 
tle declivity, as the lodgment of water about the roots n 
winter is the greatest evil and danger to which they are expos- 
ed, even greater than the most severe frosts to which we are 
subject. 
The beds are to remain so, until there is an appearance 
of hard frost, when they should be covered with light dung, 
litter, leaves of trees, or the like, the better to preserve the 
crowns and roots from its rigour. In this manner, the roots 
will remain in perfect safety all the winter. As soon as the 
very severe frosts are over, the beds must be uncovered, and 
when you perceive the young shoots begin to appear above 
ground, or rather when they are one or two inches up, then, 
and not till then, proceed to level down the beds, throwing 
the earth into the alleys or trenches, and round them in a 
neat manner ; then dig in the short manure, and loosen all 
the earth around the plants. At the same time, examine the 
number of shoots arising on each stool, and select three of 
the strongest and healthiest looking on every stool, which are 
to remain ; all above that number are to be slipped off close 
to the roots with the hand, unless you want some to make 
new plantations with, in which case an extra number for that 
purpose are to remain on the parent plants, until they are 
about eight or ten inches high from their roots, or junction 
with the old plants, when they are to be slipped off, and 
planted in a bed pre oared in the same manner as directed 
for the young plants, taking care, at the same time, to close 
the earth about the crowns of the roots, and draw it up a 
little to the remaining suckers. 
Observe, the spring dressing is to be given when the plants 
are in the above -described state, whether that happens m 
*3 
