CHAP. VII VILLA GARDENING 429 



have a succession coming on in proper order, though all planted at 

 the same time. Now, as regards position for the successive crops, 

 wherever the soil is in good condition this Bean will thrive, if it 

 has room enough to strike out. Treated in this way it is a very 

 ditferent plant from what it is when crowded. The Longpods 

 may be 6 inches apart in the drill, and the Canadian Wonder 

 should have still more space. I attach so much importance to 

 this matter that I cannot help reiterating the importance of 



Allowing Plenty of Space, if it is desired that the plants 

 should be productive. I have said that the position of this crop is 

 a matter of no gTeat importance after May comes in ; but an open 

 smmy situation is the best. I have in hot dry seasons planted 

 in Jime under a north wall with success ; but it is an Eastern 

 plant, and delights in sunshine, if rightly treated. I shall refer 

 to the forcing of this Bean under glass in a future chapter on 

 forcing vegetables, and confine my present remarks to open-air 

 culture. In many good gardens, where there are glasshouses and 

 frames, the early crops are frequently sown somewhat thickly in 

 boxes imder glass, and transplanted when 2 or 3 inches high, or 

 when the rough leaves appear. This Bean transplants well, and, 

 with care in sheltering when fii-st planted out, the crop is usually 

 a success. The distance between the rows must in some measm-e 

 depend upon the kind of Bean planted. Two feet will be enough 

 for the early kinds, but 3 feet will not be too much for the robust 

 varieties, such as the Canadian Wonder. 



The Last Sowing should be made not later than the middle 

 of July; it should consist of a small early kind, such as the 

 Newiugton, which must be planted in a warm position on a south 

 border. It may be an advantage to make some provision for giving 

 shelter to this crop in order to prolong the season. There is no 

 difficidty, providing one has the means, in gathering French Beans 

 all the year round, as the autumn crop, if started early enough 

 under glass, will follow closely the protected one on the south 

 border. 



Watering and Mulching. — Though undoubtedly water is 

 a great help to this as well as most other crops in a dry and arid 

 time, yet, as there are other plants in the garden which sufter more 

 from drought, it is seldom that French Beans are watered. A 

 mulch of half-decayed manure will in this case be better than 

 watering, and will keep the plants thriving and fresh at a small 

 expense. If the Beans are picked off as fast as they become fit, 

 they will bear continuously for a long time. 



Varieties. — To the kinds I have already named I would 

 add, for the advantage of those who desire more variety, the 



