The Culture of Vegetables 



promote colour and flavour. The heat will generally run to 70, 

 and that figure should be the maximum allowed. Experienced 

 growers prefer to force at 60 or 65, and to take a little more time 

 for the advantage of a finer sample. 



BROAD BEAN 



Faba vulgaris 



THE BROAD BEAN is a thrifty plant, as hardy as any in the garden, 

 and very accommodating as to soil. It is quite at home on heavy 

 land, but in common with nearly all other vegetables it thrives on a 

 deep sandy loam. Considering the productive nature of the plant 

 and its comparatively brief occupation of the ground, the common 

 Bean must be regarded as one of our most profitable garden crops. 

 Within recent years changes in fashion have taken place in the culti- 

 vation of Beans. It is freely alleged that the Mazagan class are no 

 earlier than the Longpods, and as the latter are admitted to be more 

 productive, no good purpose is served in continuing to grow the 

 former. There is just sufficient truth in the idea to mislead the un- 

 wary; but it is not the whole truth, and the good old doctrine of 

 wisdom in many counsellors is illustrated by the fact that Mazagans 

 are still largely grown because of their peculiar suitability for certain 

 purposes. There are no varieties so much valued by those who dry 

 or tin green Beans for soups as the Mazagans ; and as regards quality, 

 they are deservedly prized on good tables. But for general work the 

 Longpods are invaluable ; they are nearly but not quite so early as 

 the Mazagans, thoroughly hardy, produce heavy crops, and in 

 appearance and flavour satisfy the world at large, as may be proved 

 by appeal to the markets. For epicures and others who are fastidious 

 in respect of quality there is the section of Windsor Beans large, 

 tender, full of flavour, and, if well managed, most tempting in colour 

 when put upon the table. The cultivation is so simple in its whole 

 routine that we are bound to direct attention first to the varieties, 

 and it will be seen that all have their uses. The least in request is 

 the Dwarf Cluster, but even this is serviceable at times for a crop 

 needing the smallest amount of trouble on newly broken ground, or 

 as a stolen crop where there is space for it awhile, the growth rarely 

 exceeding fourteen inches. 



For early crops the Longpods claim attention, and sowings may 

 be made in November on a dry soil in a warm situation, sheltered 



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