512 VILLA GAEDEXIXG part vi 



with a rise of at least 10° in the clay, or more in bright weather. 

 They are commonly grown in pots. Any sized -pots wiU do, but 

 I prefer those about 8 or 9 inches in diameter, filled two-thirds 

 full of tiufy loam and manm-e, two-thirds of the former to one of 

 mamu'e. Put one large crock over the hole at the bottom, and 

 place a handful of rough turf over it ; fill the pot two-thu'ds fidl 

 as stated. Press down a little, and plant five beans roimd near 

 the sides of the pot, and one in the centre, covering about 2 inches 

 deep. The pots may stand under the stage till the plants show 

 through the soil, then they must be placed near the glass if they 

 are to do well. The best position I have in winter is a broad 

 shelf at the back of a lean-to forcing -house. There the growth 

 is dwarf and robust, and the blossoms numerous, which aU set and 

 produce Beans, the progi-ess being rapid. A light span -roofed 

 house is also a good position for them. It is not often that a 

 hoiLse can be given up to the forcing of Beans ; usually they are 

 worked in with Cucmubers or Vines, or in some other mixed 

 arrangement. If a house could be given up to them, I should 

 like to have it arranged as the old-fashioned Pelargonium-houses 

 used to be fitted up twenty or thirty years ago. 



For succession it is necessary to start a fi'esh lot every three 

 weeks or so ; and all Beans must be gathered comparatively 

 young, so that the plants may produce to their fullest extent. 

 When the young plants are well above the rim of the pot, earth- 

 up with rough rich sod, and place a few small sprays of Hazel or 

 Birch roimd to give the necessary support. The only enemy 

 to guard against is the red spider, and this is a real danger 

 when Beans are forced in vineries, or with Peaches, Strawberries, 

 or Cucumbers, especially about March. This evil is more easily 

 prevented than cured. Frequent use of the syringe, a genial 

 atmosphere, and a little sulphur on the pipes, wOl generally keep 

 them at bay till the Beans can be had in the pits or elsewhere. 

 As regards their culture in pits, I have grown them successfully 

 in low pits such as are commonly used for Potatoes or Melons. 

 It is entirely a question of temperatm'e. French Beans require 

 rather a higher temperature than Potatoes, and the pits should 

 have some warmth beyond what is supplied by fennenting 

 materials, at least in winter From Febniary onwards the hotbed 

 system will do very well. Even when a supply of Beans can be 

 had in waiTu houses, I always think it is advisable to plant the 

 last crop in a pit or frame ; these fiE up the intervals between the 

 last crop in the forcing-house and the earhest in the open air. 

 Tljey are planted in 3Iarch, in rows across the pit, 2 feet apart, 

 the Beans being 6 inches apart in the row. 



