CHAP. VII VILLA GARDENING 427 



out side shoots from the bottom, than when they are started at 

 first in the open air. When pUuited in single rows the distance 

 between them should be 2 feet. If double rows are planted the 

 distance between the rows should be increased to 3 feet, with, in 

 the case of the early sorts, 5 inches between the Beans in the rows. 

 The Windsor Beans planted later should have a little more space. 

 Successional crops shoidd be planted at the beginning and end of 

 March, again in April, and again for late bearing in Llay. It is not 

 advisable to plant Beans after May. I have sometimes had a fair 

 crop from Beans planted in June ; and where late Beans must be 

 had it is as well not to neglect the opportunity of securing them 

 which June planting gives. But where the pods are closely 

 gathered from the ]\Iarch and April plantings, and the stems are 

 cut down to within G inches of the ground, a new growth will 

 break out again, which will bear a better crop than later sowings, 

 simply because the early-sown plants have obtained a better grasp 

 of the soil, and are consequently in a better position to resist the 

 heat and drought of August. Plants from which this is expected 

 must not be allowed to expend themselves unduly by carrying 

 their first crop too long, or until the seeds are approaching maturity, 

 as this will take away all vigom- or inclination to start a new 

 growth. The object of the plants — viz. to ripen seeds, and so 

 efiect their perpetuation — being accomplished there is no induce- 

 ment to move without some stimulus, which, as a ride, cannot be 

 given to common things like Beans. Where this latter objection 

 does not apply, a good soaking of liquid manure and a mulching 

 will expedite matters amazingly. As the diff'erent sowings or 

 plantings advance in growth they should be earthed up, as this 

 supports and shelters them very considerably ; and when a sufficient 

 number of blossoms are expanded to form a crop the points of the 

 plants may be nipped out with a sharp hook. Sometimes the 

 black aphis attacks the plants, usually settling on the extreme 

 points ; and when this is so, nipping off the tops, if done carefully, 

 will remove them, leaving the plants clean. The prunings must 

 of course be taken away and destroyed. There is hardly a garden 

 in the kingdom where Beans are not grown ; therefore I need not 

 say much regarding the character of the soil most suitable for 

 Bean cultiu-e, though when there is a choice between light and 

 heavy land it is always best to plant the main crop on the heavy 

 land, as Beans always bear tlie best crops and produce the tenderest 

 and best-flavoiu'ed quality on rather stiff soil. 



Varieties. — The old Mazagans are losing caste for garden 

 cidture, as the Longiwds are much better for early planting. The 

 Early Green Longpod is my favourite. Beck's Green Gem is 



