robruary 1, I Wl. J 



JOURNAL OP HOBTIOULTORB AND OOTTAQE GARDENEB. 



FORCING POTATOES, CAEROTS, AND DWARF 

 KIDNEY BEANS. 



■ OTATOES.— These are often planted in large 

 forcing establiehmonts earlier than the pre- 

 sent time ; but I have always found the 

 best results follow from tubers which were 

 planted after the new year has commenced, 

 for then they grow freely from the first, 

 and there is not so much danger of their 

 being checked when advanced in growth as 

 Pp those which are planted early in a place 



where there is no artificial heat. 

 I do not start my tubers into growth, as some of your 

 correspondents have recommended lately. Previous to 

 planting the sets are spread out in a shelved shed, where 

 there is plenty of light. The sprouts are only about 

 1 inch long when planted, and instead of being weak and 

 tender (like those started in heat before planting) they 

 are strong and hardy, and always grow away without 

 receiving the slightest check ; and it is difhcult to avoid 

 checks with tender drawn-up growths. Anyone with a 

 three-light frame and a cartload or two of leaves and 

 stable dung may have young Potatoes in May. "We have 

 finished putting in ours a day or two ago, but Potatoes put 

 in now, or during the next week, would come in about as 

 early. The leaves and manure should be mixed up in a 

 heap in about equal parts, or there may be more leaves 

 than dung. Let the heap lie until fermentation begins, 

 which will be in three or four days. Turn it then, and in 

 two days afterwards it may be put in the frame. When 

 placed in the frame the heating matori;il should be at 

 least 2 feet deep and firmly trodden down with the feet. 

 Above this place 12 inches of common garden soil mixed 

 with a little of the decayed manure which was used for 

 planting or forcing the year previous. When all is fiUed 

 in the surface of the soil should be from 1.5 to 18 inches 

 from the glass and quite level. 



Place the tubers in the soil 6 inches from the surface. 

 When this has been done pnt on the sa.shes, but open 

 them a little on all fine days, closing them again at night, 

 and unless in frosty weather never cover the glass. As 

 soon as the leaves are seen above the soil give a thorough 

 watering. When the growtbs are a few inches long the 

 Bashes may be removed altogether on fine days when the 

 wind is not " cutting." The frame should always face 

 the south so as to catch all the sun heat. Kidneys that 

 do not produce big haulms may be planted la inches 

 apart betwefn the rows and about 4 inches between the 

 tubers. Round sorts must have a little more room. My 

 favourite varieties for forcing or planting at this time are 

 Veitch's Improved Early Asbleaf, Myatt's Prolific Ash- 

 leaf, and Early Frame. I never earth-up my frame 

 Potatoes. Giving air and water when required is the 

 whole of the attention they receive from the time they 

 are planted until they are lifted for use. 



Carrots. — These are sown about the same time as the 

 Potatoes are planted, and they are ready for use equally 

 early. The hot manure for both is mixed in the one 



No. 827.- Vol. XXXIL, Kew Sebiss. 



heap, but 1 foot deep of it is sufficient to bring np and 

 on the Carrots. It is put in the frame as for the Potatoes, 

 but not so far from the glass. The soil used is a light 

 leaf soil and sandy mixture, and this only to the depth of 

 6 inches. When ready fcr sowing the surface of the soil 

 is 1 inch from the glats. I use the Early Horn. It does 

 not grow large, but the roots are always clean, tender, 

 and of excellent flavour. The seed is sown broadcast, and 

 covered over with half an inch of the mixture similar to 

 that underneath it. If the seed is good sow thinly. Do 

 not water until the young plants are visible, and very 

 little air need be given until then. Thin out the plants 

 before they are crowded, leaving them '2 inches apart ; 

 do not let them suffer for want of water afterwards, and 

 admit abundance of air on all favourable opportunities. 

 In drawing them for use, pull out the largest and let the 

 smaller have more room to develope. 



Dwarf Kidney Beans. — These require more accom- 

 modation than either of the foregoing, but at the same 

 time they may be grown from now onwards with less 

 trouble and more success than some m.ay suppose. _ We 

 have gathered pods as early as this, but they were neither 

 so fine nor so abundant as from those raised by sowings 

 in January, February, and March. I have tried a good 

 many sorts of these Beans for fca-cing, and I have now 

 hmited myself to Osboru's Forcing. This is a first-rate sort 

 in every way. Three dozen pots supply a good quantity 

 of Beans. The pots used are 8 inches in diameter. A 

 few crocks are placed at the bottom cf each, and the pots 

 are half-filled with a compost consisting of light loam 

 and leaf soil; this is pressed down firmly, and eight or 

 ten seeds are laid over the surface and covered with 

 1 inch of soil. When the soil is moist no water is given 

 until the rough leaves appear. The plants grow freely 

 in a temperature of 00". Much water must not be given 

 at first or it will rot the young plants. While growing 

 let them have all the light possible. The above-named 

 temperature suits them throughout. 



As soon as the leaves are fairly above the pots the 

 remainder of the soil tbat is required to fill the pots 

 must be added. Press this very firmly, and let it be 

 a little lighter than that used at Fowing time. When the 

 plants come into bloom they are benefited by a little air 

 every day, but this must depfuil on the outside weather. 

 A few birch twigs put in as the ])lauts ascend saves them 

 from falling over, as they are liable to do as the fruit 

 swells. Red spider is sometimes troublesome, but syring- 

 ing never fails to keep it in check. Pods may he gathered 

 five weeks after sowing the seed.— A Kitchen Gardener. 



LOTHIAN STOCKS. 

 No Stocks are more valuable for winter, spring, and 

 summer decoration than are these. Sowing the seed in 

 July and August has been freqiieutly recommended, but 

 I find, after many trials, that those periods are too late 

 for producing the best display of which these sweet and 

 massive flowers are capable. 



It may be well to explain what I mean by the " beet 

 No. U79.-VOL, LVII., Old Sebib 



