The Culture of Vegetables 



is quite allowable. Generally speaking, if the plot be kept clean, the 

 Beans will take care of themselves ; but in droughty weather a heavy 

 watering now and then will be visibly beneficial, for although the 

 plant bears drought well, it is like other good things in requiring 

 something to live upon. In making late sowings, when the ground 

 has become dry and hard, it is advisable to soak the seed in water 

 for five or six hours ; the drills may also be watered, and, if pos- 

 sible, the seed should be covered in with rotten dung, spent hops, or 

 some other mulchy stuff to promote and sustain vegetation. 



The gathering of the crop should be a matter of discipline. Where 

 it is done carelessly, there will very soon be none to gather, for the 

 swelling of a few seeds in neglected pods will cause the plants to cease 

 bearing. Therefore all the Beans should be gathered when of a 

 proper size, whether they are wanted or not ; this is the only way 

 to insure a long-continued supply of good quality both as to colour 

 and tenderness. 



Although the forcing of Dwarf Beans is a simple business, it 

 requires incessant attention. The difficulty to be constantly kept 

 in view is to prevent injury from the attacks of red spider. Pots, 

 boxes, or troughs can be employed, as may be most convenient. 

 But a better plan is to plant them out in a bed in a smallish 

 span-roof house with a service of hot water, and the nearer they 

 are to the glass the better. The bed should be one foot deep, the 

 drills a foot apart, and the plants six inches asunder in the rows. 

 The temperature may, with safety, range from 60 to 80, commenc- 

 ing, of course, with the lower figure, and rising slowly as the season 

 advances. Air-giving and watering will need careful management, 

 for the most robust growth possible is required, but there must be no 

 chill, and any excess of either moisture or dryness will be immediately 

 injurious. Beginners may be advised not to sow until the turn of the 

 year, or, if forcing for winter supply, not after the first week in 

 October; but experienced gardeners find no difficulty in dealing 

 with sowings made in November and December. 



RUNNER BEAN 



Phaseolus multiflorus 



RUNNERS are managed in precisely the same way as Dwarf Beans, 

 but need more room. They may be grown in roomy orchard-houses 

 to afford early or late supplies, but the practice is scarcely to be 



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