This plant is nearly related to the Globe Artichoke, and it makes a stately appearance when allowed to flower.  Although the Cardoon is not widely cultivated in this country, it is found in some of our best gardens, and is undoubtedly a wholesome esculent from which a skilful cook will present an excellent dish.  The stalks of the inner leaves are stewed, and are also used in soups, as well as for salads, during autumn and winter.  The flowers, after being dried, possess the property of coagulating milk, for which purpose they are used in France.

In a retentive soil Cardoons should be grown on the flat, but the plant is a tolerably thirsty subject, and must have sufficient water.  Hence on very dry soils it may be necessary to put it in trenches after the manner of Celery, and then it will obtain the full benefit of all the water that may be administered.  In any case the soil must be rich and well pulverised if a satisfactory growth is to be obtained.

Towards the end of April rows are marked out three or four feet apart, and groups of seed sown at intervals of eighteen inches in the rows.  The plants are thinned to one at each station, and in due time secured to stakes.  Full growth is attained in August, when blanching is commenced by gathering the leaves together, wrapping them round with bands of hay, and earthing up.  It requires from eight to ten weeks to accomplish the object fully.  The French method is quicker.  Seed is sown in pots under glass, and in May the plants are put out three feet apart.  When fully grown the Cardoons are firmly secured to stakes by three small straw bands.  A covering of straw, three inches thick, is thatched round every plant from bottom to top, and each top is tied and turned over like a nightcap.  A little soil is then drawn to the foot, but earthing up is needless.  In about a month blanching is completed.

==Carrot==

==Daucus Carota==

The Carrot is a somewhat fastidious root, for although it is grown in every garden, it is not everywhere produced in the best style possible.  The handsome long roots that are seen in the leading markets are the growth of deep sandy soils well tilled.  On heavy lumpy land long clean roots cannot be secured by any kind of tillage.  But for these unsuitable soils there are Sutton’s Early Gem, the Champion Horn, and Intermediate, which require no great depth of earth; while for deep loams the New Red Intermediate answers admirably.

==Forcing.==—­Carrots are forced in frames on very gentle hot-beds.  They cannot be well grown in houses, and they must be grown slowly to be palatable.  It is usual to begin in November, and to sow down a bed every three or four weeks until February.  A lasting hot-bed is of the first importance, and it is therefore necessary to have a good supply of stable manure and leaves.  The material should be thoroughly mixed and allowed to ferment for a few days.  Then turn the heap again, and a few days