Arthur, Chester

A. See SECTION IL Arthursburg, in New York, a P. O. of Duche co. Arthur's Seat, an eminence in the vicinity of Edin burgh, the Scottish capital, 822 feet high. From its top is a view of magnificent extent. Arthur stown, a seaport of Ireland, in the co. Wexford, lying on Water ford harbor, 7 m. E. by S. of Water ford. Artic, a . An old spelling of the word arctic , q. v. Artichoke, n. [Fr. artichaut ; probably from Gr. artytikos , fit for seasoning.] The Cynaro scolymus , gen. Cynara, q. v., is a perennial, esculent plant, growing wild in the S. of Europe, and reared in gardens for use. They are cultivated from suckers arising in spring from the root of the old plants, and placed in rows 3 feet apart. By this proce , artichokes may be produced in the autumn of the same year. The size of their fruit will gradually diminish, after the third or fourth year, though the roots continue sound for several seasons. A. flourish best in a rich and moist soil; but if it be too wet, the roots are apt to decay in severe frosts. When covered with straw in the autumn, they rot. The only precaution nece ary to take, is to dig a ditch round the plant, to prevent the water from injuring them. The parts used are the receptacle, the lower part of the involucre, and the upper portion of the stalk. The A. is eaten raw, with salt, pepper, and oil; or it is boiled before being sent to table. It is not extensively cultivated in America. Jerusalem A. See HELIANTHUS.