{Cynara cardunculus).

The stalks of the inner leaves, when rendered tender by blanching, are used in stews, soups, and salads.

Soil And Situation

A light rich soil is most suitable to this vegetable, dug deep and well pulverised. The situation must be open, and free from trees.

Time And Mode Of Sowing

It may be sown at the close of March, but for the main crop not until the early part of April, those plants raised from earlier sowings being apt to run at the close of autumn; for a late crop, a sowing may be performed in June. The best practice is to sow in patches of three or four rows four feet apart each way, to be thinned finally to one in each place, the weakest being removed. If, however, they are raised in a seed bed, they will be ready for transplanting in about eight or ten weeks from the time of sowing, and must be set at similar distances as are specified above.

The plants of the first sowing are generally three weeks before they make their appearance; those from the latter ones about two. If after a lapse of these times they do not appear, it should be ascertained if the seed is decayed, and in that case the sowing renewed. The seed must be sown rather thin, and covered about half an inch. When about a month old, the seedlings, when too thick, must be thinned to four inches apart, and those removed may be pricked out at a similar distance. When of the age sufficient for their removal they must be taken up carefully, and the long straggling leaves removed. The bed for their reception must be dug well and laid out in trenches as for celery, or a hollow sunk for each plant; but as they are liable to suffer from excessive wet, the best mode is to plant on the surface, and form the necessary earthing in the form of a tumulus. Water must be applied abundantly at the time of planting, as well as subsequently, until they are established; and also in August, if dry weather occurs, regularly every other night, as this is found to prevent their running to seed. The only other necessary point to be attended to is, that they may be kept free from weeds during every stage of their growth.

When advanced to about eighteen inches in height, which according to the time of sowing will be in August, and thence to October, the leaves must be closed together by encircling them with a hay-band, and earth placed round each plant, a dry day being selected for performing it. As they continue to grow, fresh bands and earth must be constantly applied until they are blanched to the height of two feet, or about twothirds of their stems. They will be fit for use in eight or ten weeks after the earthing first commences. Care must be had in earthing them up, to prevent the earth falling in between the leaves, which is liable to induce decay. The surface of the soil should likewise be beaten smooth to throw off the rain. In severe weather their tops should be covered with litter, by which they may be preserved in a serviceable state throughout the winter.

To obtain Seed - Which in this country seldom comes to maturity, but in dry seasons a few plants should be set in a sheltered situation of the April sowing, not earthed up, but allowed the shelter of mats or litter in frosty weather. The flowers make their appearance about the beginning of July, and the seed is ripe in September.