Jesusalem Artichokes.

What is the best time for planting Jerusalem artichokes?

Jerusalem artichoke tubers are planted in the spring after the ground has become warm and the heavy frosts are over.  The planting may be done in rows far enough apart for cultivation, the tubers being set about a foot apart in the row.  This tuber grows like a potato, but is more delicate than the potato.  It is inclined to decay when out of the ground, but will not start growth as early as the potato, and therefore it is not desirable to start it early in the winter if the winters are cold and the ground apt to be very wet.  Do not cut the tubers for seed as you would potatoes.

Globe Artichokes.

I have land that will grow magnificent artichokes.  Two plants last year (variety unknown) produced heavy crops of buds, but the scales opened too wide and allowed the center to become fibrous and were unsalable.  Is this due to climate, lack of sufficient water, or to not having the right variety?

Many artichokes which are planted should really be put in the ornamental class — they are either a reversion from a wilder type in plants grown from the seed or they never have been good.  In order to determine which varieties you had better grow on a large scale, it is desirable to get a few plants of the different varieties as offered by seedmen.  In this way you would find out just what are considered best in different parts of the State, and propagate largely the ones which are best worth to you.  By subdivision of the roots you get exactly the same type in any quantity you desire — ruling out undesirable variations likely to appear in seedlings.

Artichoke Growing.

Is the Globe artichoke a profitable crop to raise commercially?  Near Pescadero a company has been formed to raise it for Eastern shipment.  Is it a very profitable crop to raise?  Are certain varieties worthless?

Considerable quantities of Globe artichokes are grown in southern and central California for Eastern shipment.  There is a limit to the amount which can be profitably shipped, because people generally, at the East, do not know the Globe artichoke and how to eat it, but more of them are learning the desirability of it every year.  There are species which are only ornamental, as a bad weed.

Asparagus Growing.

What is the average commercial yield of asparagus to the acre in California?  Also, how long it takes asparagus to come into full bearing, and what yield could be expected after two years’ growth?  Is asparagus resistant to moderate quantities of alkali in the soil?

The yield of asparagus is from one to four tons of marketable shoots per acre, according to age and thrift of plants, etc., the largest yields being on the peat lands of the river islands.  On suitable lands one ought to get at least two tons per acre.  Roots may yield a few days’ cuttings during their second year in permanent place; the third year they will stand much more cutting, and for several years after that will be in full yielding.  Asparagus enjoys a little salt in the land, but one would not select what is ordinarily called “alkali land” for growing it - not only because of the alkali but because of the soil character which it induces.