1879.] THE AMATEUR'S GARDEN. 453 



long after the Peas have been removed the soil is still impervious to 

 water. This proves the necessity of floodings of water to the Pea in 

 dry seasons if really good Peas in good quantity be wanted. When 

 this is done, or even if it cannot be done, great benefit will follow a 

 thick mulch of sappy manure by the sides of the rows — or failing that, 

 short grass or anything that will check evaporation. 



Peas are sometimes sown in quarters by themselves, but we think it 

 a much more economical plan to sow them in single rows among other 

 vegetables. When this is done, sun and air have freer access to every 

 part of the plants, and the result is a much greater amount of pro- 

 duce from a given length of row. In exposed gardens, when thus 

 sown in rows and securely staked, the rows of Peas assist other crops 

 by means of the shelter they afford. By sowing between other 

 crops there is scarcely any difficulty, in even the smallest garden, in 

 affording them a fresh position, and, therefore, new soil annually. 

 The mistake should not be made — too common among amateurs — of 

 planting other crops to within a foot or so of the rows of the Peas. 

 Three feet from the row of Peas to the nearest row of other vegetables 

 is little enough space, but 6 inches may be subtracted from the windward 

 sides of the rows and added to the leeward side, where the rows are 

 exposed. In our case the rows are all blown eastward. In drawing 

 the drills, stretch the line over the ground and draw them the full 

 breadth of a common draw-hoe, from 2 to 3 inches deep, and scatter 

 the Peas evenly at the rate of 1 lb. of Peas to 30 feet of row of the 

 small kinds, and 36 feet of the larger kinds. When 3 inches high, 

 draw a little earth to them, and stake them with stakes according to 

 the height of the variety, which is generally a foot or so more than 

 that given in catalogues, when treated liberally as we have hinted at. 



Beans. — These are generally sown, for a first crop, as soon in the year 

 as possible, and in quantities as required at intervals of three weeks or 

 a month. Our remarks on soil, when speaking of Peas, apply in this 

 case also. There is little or no use planting Beans later than May. 

 Plant them in rows 2 or 2j feet apart ; in heavy soil draw drills and 

 plant the Beans at 3 inches apart and 2 deep ; where the soil is light 

 they may be dibbled in with every success. 



French or Kidney Beans require very different treatment. A 

 sheltered spot with a good south or south-western aspect is usually 

 afforded those, more especially in northern districts, although on light 

 soils in favourable localities they do very well in the open quarters. 

 In seasons like this they have not done well anywhere, and in excep- 

 tionally favourable seasons they might do well everywhere ; but the 

 prudent grower will afford them the most favourable spot at command. 

 The small-growing varieties may be sown in drills 2 inches in depth, 

 as much apart, and 2 feet between the rows ; the more robust kinds 

 should get 3 feet. If anxious for these as early as possible, the Beans 

 may be planted in 3-inch pots, 2 Beans in a pot, and started and nursed 



