of the Common Red. The skin is rose-white, and,
like that of the last named, changes to silvery-white about the upper
portion of the stem, or bulb; the leaves are longer, deeper colored,
firmer, and less subject to wither or decay at their extremities, than
those of the Common Red. The White is generally considered the better
variety; as it is more tender, and milder in flavor, though much less
productive.

The Welsh onions are of little value, except in cold latitudes; and are
rarely found in the vegetable gardens of this country.

CHAPTER III.

ASPARAGINOUS PLANTS.

The Artichoke. Asparagus. Cardoon. Hop. Oosung. Phytolacca.

* * * * *

THE ARTICHOKE.

Cynarus scolymus.

[Illustration: Green Globe Artichoke.]

The Artichoke is a hardy perennial. The stem is from four to five feet
in height, with numerous branches; the leaves are of remarkable size,
frequently measuring three feet, and sometimes nearly four feet in
length, pinnatifid, or deeply cut on the borders, and more or less
invested with an ash-colored down; the mid-ribs are large, fleshy, and
deeply grooved, or furrowed; the flowers are large, terminal, and
consist of numerous blue florets, enclosed by fleshy-pointed scales; the
seeds (eight hundred and fifty of which are contained in an ounce) are
of a grayish color, variegated with deep brown, oblong, angular,
somewhat flattened, and retain their vitality five years.

_Soil._--Select a light, rich, and rather moist soil, and trench it
well; incorporating in the process a liberal portion of old,
well-decomposed compost. Sea-weeds, kelp, rock-weed, and the like, where
they can be obtained, are the best fertilizers; but, where these are not
accessible, a slight application of salt will be beneficial.

_Propagation._--Artichokes may be propagated either by seeds, or by
slips, or suckers, from established plants. If by slips, they should be
taken off in May, when they have grown five or six inches in height, and
transplanted four or five inches deep, in rows four feet apart, and two
feet apart in the rows. Water freely, if dry weather occurs before the
young plants are established. Keep the ground loose by frequent hoeings;
and in August or September the heads will be fit for use. Before severe
weather, the plants should be covered with straw or stable-litter.

As plants of one year's growth produce but few heads, and are also later
in their development of these