JERUSALEM ARTICHOKES

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 207, 17 September 1937, Page 15

JERUSALEM ARTICHOKES

The so-called •'.kwusnlt.'in" nrticnoko which, by the w a,\ , had no connection whatever with tlic Hbly Land, but obtains ils name from a corruption of tlic ,

Italian name "Girosolo," is in reality a tuberous rooted sunflower. There are few vegetable crops that alford the amateur such bountiful yieldp as this liberal garden tenant, and as it is fortunately adapted to a very great range of soils — much more »o than potato — it is witliin the cultivation bounds of all. From an agricultural point of view it is considered a most vaiuable crop, both the leaves and the tubers being readily availed of by stock. It is a phenomenal yielder and in sgme districts ha's been known to produce a return of 1000 bushels, about 30 tons, to the acre. But our remarks wjll be cliiefly directed to its economic value to the home gardener. Where artichokes are to grow in .a homo plot, it is always advisable to apportxon them to a piece of ground to themselves, as once cultivated in a certain area they are most diflicult to arradieate. The smallest tuber left in the soil, after digging will produce a plant. Tlie soil for this crop should be deeply trenched and thoroughly broken up. An open, sunny position, sheltered irom high winds, is always pret'erable, as the plant produees lengthy stems, from 5ft to 9ft liigh, which are to be blown over in exposed parts. Feed the soil, for the plants requjre it, but do not overfeed as the production of useless top growth will be produced to tlie detriment of tbc resulting crop. When planting, bear in mind that the smallest tuber will produce a plaut. Place tho tubers from 18ins to 2ft apart, in tlie rows according to availabie space, and run the rows 3ft apart. Well decomposed stable manure' used moderately but .thoroughly, incorporated with tlie soil, constitutes tlic best food ior tuber production, and should be well incorporated in tlie soil. Artichokes should be planted during july, August and September. Very little cultivation is required other tlian suppressing the weed growth between the rows from time to time with the hoe. But this practice should be discontinued" immediately the tubers begin to i'orm, otherwise injury to the- crop will result. Unlike the potato, artichokes require no hilling. During tlie dry summer months copiofts waterings are essential to maintain a vigorous growth. usually the crop is ready for digging during the late autumn and early winter montlis, after the foliage lias completely died off. It is, howevcr, not advisable to dig the whole crop at once as the quality of the tubers is seriously affected by the long keepiiig. Dig, tlierei'ore, as required. Tlie remaining tubers will keep for weeks in tlie soil. Apart froiu their value as a delicious table vegetable, artichokes produce a profusion of golden petalled blooms similar in every respect to a suiiflower, and are occasionally grown for this purpose alone. For ordinary liousehold requirements two pounds of tubers will be ample for the average home plot. Tiiese may be purchased for a few penco from any of the popular city soed or vegetable stores. Artichokes should be more extensively grown in this country, and we strongly advise every householder to includo it in the homo vegetable garden.