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Cultivation (When the beds have been)

When the beds have been properly prepared, the plants should be put in them in April or May. Place three together in rows between 3ft. and 4ft. apart, and about 3ft. from plant to plant. Water-in carefully to settle the soil around the roots, and apply a mulching of half-decayed manure, to prevent an undue evaporation of moisture. During hot, dry weather, give liberal supplies of water, and the plants will become established as fine stools the first season. A few heads will probably be produced the first year; but there will not be much of a crop until the second season, when five or six good heads will be got from each plant, and for three or four years the produce will be large if the beds are properly attended to; after which time it will become desirable to make up new plantations. In October or November, it will be necessary to apply a good mulching of straw or fern to the beds, to protect the plants from frost. In April, all this litter should be cleaned off, a dressing of rotten manure applied, and the beds forked over and kept clean for the rest of the season, treating as before described. Great care must be taken to remove the heads as soon as they are in a fit state; and, when the whole of them are removed from the stems, cut the latter out as low as possible. Globe Artichokes will keep for some considerable time if laid in a cool place, although they will deteriorate in quality. These plants may be used in the background of flower borders in the kitchen garden, their handsome foliage being peculiarly well adapted for such purposes, whilst their economical value is also secured. Where there is plenty of room in light, warm sheds, orchard houses, or other places where frost can be kept out, some stools can be taken up with the root intact in the early part of November, placed in boxes of soil, and well watered-in. When drained, the boxes may be put in any of those positions for their winter quarters, and, if kept moist, will develop much earlier than the outdoor crops, provided they are planted out early in April on a warm border, and protected with mats when the weather is cold. Propagation may be effected by seeds, or by suckers from the old stools, the latter being the better plan. In the former case, sow the seeds in March, on a gentle hotbed, and prick the seedlings off singly, when large enough, into small pots. Harden off by the last week in May, and plant out in threes as previously recommended, protecting the plants from late frosts. During the growing season, give an abundance of water and liquid manure mulching, to prevent undue evaporation. In November, well cover with dry litter which will not heat; and, in hard frosts, or heavy snow, throw a few mats over the beds, uncovering at the same time as recommended above for the older plants. To propagate by rooted offsets or suckers, take up and divide the stools, when they have made a fair amount of growth in April or early in May, separating the suckers with as many roots and as much soil adhering to them as possible. The old woody portions are of little use, but they may be replanted to give off a fresh supply of suckers for the next year, if required. Propagation by suckers, if they are to be obtained, has many advantages; but care must be taken, in removing them from old plants, that some roots are attached, or growth will be uncertain. Seeds generally produce a large percentage of plants that are useless, and this is not found out until the flower-heads appear. On the other hand, suckers reproduce the parent plant, and if these are previously selected, the superior stock is thereby perpetuated.

Sorts. The green and Purple are the best for ordinary purposes; and of these preference should be given to the former. See also Cynara. ARTICHOKE, JERUSALEM (Helianthus tuberosus). A hardy tuberous-rooted herbaceous perennial, native of Brazil. The roots are used as a vegetable principally during the winter, sometimes as a dish, but more generally for flavouring purposes. Plants will grow in almost any position, but the best results and largest tubers are obtained where they receive plenty of room and liberal treatment. Their culture has been recommended as a substitute for the potato, but they are not likely to take the place of this vegetable, the flavour being disliked by many persons. A few are, however, generally acceptable.