Vegetable Growing for Market 85 



sowing), the Canadian Wonder, the Negro, and the Butter Bean. The 

 latter is a distinct variety, only lately taken up by growers in this country. 

 Its peculiarity is yellow pods, which are not sliced up for cooking, but are 

 cooked and served up whole. 



In all varieties of French Beans the utmost watchfulness must be exer- 

 cised to gather them while young; a few poddy, stringy ones will condemn 

 a whole parcel and get the grower a bad name, from which he will find 

 it hard to emancipate himself for the remainder of the season, [w. G. L.] 



French Climbing" Beans. Some market growers favour Climbing 

 French Beans for an early greenhouse crop. The seeds are sown in 

 February or March, in 8-in. or 10-in. pots, or in nicely prepared soil in the 

 greenhouse beds and borders. One of the most important features of 

 cultivation is to keep the temperature of the house up to about 75 F. 

 The temperature should not fall much below 70 F. at night, nor be allowed 

 to rise much above 80 F. by day. Great care also is taken to keep the 

 atmosphere in a fairly humid condition. This is secured by giving copious 

 supplies of water when the soil is evidently in need of it, and also by 

 syringing the foliage two or three times a day, especially during genial 

 weather. Tender pods realize anything from 6d. to Is. per pound in a 

 favourable market. As a rule the crop is over in June or the first week in 

 July. One of the best varieties to grow is Yeitch's Climbing French. 



Red Spider is kept in check by a moist atmosphere. Plenty of light 

 should be given, and the ventilation should be regulated according to the 

 state of the outside weather. [j. w.] 



5. BEETROOT 



The Beetroot (Beta vulgaris) belongs to the same family as the Spinach, 

 but is grown for its tap roots in market gardens. It is a somewhat ex- 

 haustive crop, and from 12 to 16 tons of roots may be regarded as a fair 

 yield to the acre. The leaves, &c., will weigh about as much, and if not 

 used as food for cattle will form a valuable manurial dressing. The 

 amount of plant food taken out of an acre of the soil by 12 tons of Beet- 

 root has been given as follows: 



12 tons of Roots. 12 tons of Leaves. 



Nitrogen 40-5 Ib. 105-60 Ib. 



Magnesia 18'9 68*64 



Phosphoric acid 27 -0 39-60,, 



Potash 94-5 155-76 



Lime 183-6 429-12 



Total 364-5 Ib. 7J8-72 Ib. 



A soil rather heavy in texture but well and deeply worked, and well 

 manured and limed, gives excellent results. Too much manure is apt to 

 induce coarse and unsaleable roots, but a dressing of lime will help to 

 rectify this. 



