EXTENSION OF THE FRENCH SYSTEM 63 



space between each for the development of the plants 

 later on. After germination air is given as freely as 

 possible, considering the weather, and by the middle 

 or end of May, or before that period in many parts, 

 it will be possible to remove the cloches altogether. 

 Attention to copious waterings and pinching the shoots 

 afterwards constitute the chief cultural details to 

 secure an abundance of early Marrows. 



5. Mint. This is another useful and highly ap- 

 preciated crop when it comes in with the early Potatoes 

 and Green Peas. It could be grown quite easily in the 

 hot-beds in the frames, and could be forced into tender 

 growth as early as required by lining the frames with 

 warm manure if necessary. 



6. Rhubarb. Where one can draw upon a planta- 

 tion of Rhubarb, clumps may be lifted for forcing 

 from December till the end of March, as the young 

 and highly coloured leaved-stalks often realise good 

 prices at this period of the year. For lifted clumps 

 the process of forcing is almost precisely the same 

 as described at p. 76 for the production of green 

 Asparagus, the one essential difference being that 

 the Rhubarb should be grown in the dark. Rhubarb 

 may also be forced without lifting, in the same way 

 as described for White Asparagus (see p. 73). The 

 varieties called "Linnaeus," "Champagne," and 

 " Myatt's Victoria " are the best for forcing. 



7. Violets. Passing to flowers, perhaps the single- 

 flowered and double-flowered varieties of Violets may 

 be regarded as a good commercial crop early in the 

 season, owing to their delicious fragrance. The general 

 custom is to lift the clumps early in autumn and 

 replant in frames of rich soil. This operation might 



