go FRENCH MARKET-GARDENING 



cloquees may also be grown. Formerly the Dwarf Dutch 

 Haricot (nain de Hollande) was a popular kind for 

 early forcing, but has been superseded largely by 

 those mentioned. One variety with yellow seeds I 

 think likely to succeed in England is known as " Six 

 Weeks." I have grown it in the open air in the 

 usual way, and much to my astonishment I picked 

 the first pod exactly six weeks after the seeds were 

 sown. 



CULTURE. About the middle of December a hot-bed 

 varying from 12 to 24 in. in thickness is prepared, 

 and on which a temperature of 65 to 70 Fahr. is 

 maintained. A compost made up of two-thirds 

 gritty loam and one-third old manure or leaf-soil is 

 spread over the bed to a depth of 6 or 7 in. The 

 seeds are then either sown where the plants are to 

 develop, allowing sixteen or twenty-four plants to 

 each light eventually ; or they may be sown in pots 

 or pans in a hot-bed or greenhouse, from which they 

 are afterwards to be transplanted. This operation 

 takes place as soon as the seed-leaves are well 

 developed, and is considered to be an advantage, 

 because the plants do not grow so tall and yield a 

 larger supply of pods. Each young Bean plant is 

 buried up to the seed-leaves in the soil ; if this is 

 inclined to dryness, a gentle watering must be given, 

 and the lights must not be opened for a couple of 

 days until growth has recommenced. Afterwards, air 

 must be given on all fine days to keep the plants green 

 and sturdy. Protection from frost is secured by 

 covering with mats at night-time, the same being 

 removed at the earliest moment each morning. In 

 the event of severe weather, the frames must be 



