342 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The remedy is cheap and easily obtained. 



It has been thought that the disease can not endure severe winters. 

 The present promises to be unusually cold, and we shall watch its effect on 

 the rust. If the prevalence of the rust in the spring demands it, a resume 

 of what is known concerning it will be published. Will each one interested, 

 and acquainted with the disease send us a note of its severity in known 

 localities, accompanied, if convenient, with a small specimen of a diseased 

 leaf? Also, will each add the date of its first appearance in the places 

 cited, as we shall be glad to know of its progress westward, and present 

 geographical distribution in America. 



William R. Dudley. 



THE FORCING OF BEANS. 



Bush beans are easily forced, and they constitute one of the best sec- 

 ondary winter crops. We ordinarily grow them upon cucumber, melon 

 or other benches while waiting for the cucumbers or melons to attain 

 sufficient size in the pots for transplanting. Beans will be ready for 

 picking in six or eight weeks after sowing, in midwinter. Their demands 

 are simple, yet exacting. They must have a rich moist soil, strong bottom 

 heat, and the more light the better. We cover our benches with eight or, 

 ten inches of soil, the lower third of which is a layer of old sods. The 

 top soil we make by adding about one part of well rotted manure to two 

 parts of rich garden loam. The soil must never be allowed to become dry, 

 and especial care must be taken to apply enough water to keep the bottom of 

 the soil moist, and yet not enough to make the surface muddy. With the 

 strong bottom heat which we use for beans, the soil is apt to become dry 

 beneath. 



Our benches are built over the pipes and are closed at the sides beneath 

 with four-inch slats set an inch apart. In this way nearly all the heat is 

 applied directly to the soil, only enough escaping through the spaces 

 between the slats to aid somewhat in warming the house, in connection 

 with one run of pipe overhead. We have a good illustration in our houses 

 at the present writing (Dec. 27), of the accelerating influence of a bottom 

 heat. One bench, to which no bottom heat was applied for the first three 

 weeks, is just giving beans fit for picking. On another bench in the same 

 house, to which heat was applied from the first and upon which the same 

 variety was sown at the same date, the second crop of beans has been up 

 for nearly two weeks. The lack of bottom heat delayed the crop fully 

 four weeks. The house should be lighted, and the benches should be near 

 the glass. 



If the benches are unoccupied, the beans may be planted on them 

 directly, but if a crop is on them the beans should be started in pots. 

 We like to plant two or three beans in a three-inch rose pot, and trans- 

 plant to the benches just as soon as the roots fill the pot. 



The night temperature of a bean house ought not to fall below 60°. 

 When the blossoms appear, give a liberal application of liquid manure 

 every five or six c}ays. The growth of beans should be continuous and 

 rapid from the first, in order to secure a large crop of tender pods. The 



