MARCH.] THE KITCHEN-GARDEN. 179 



The depth of covering which they require, is from one to two 

 inches, according as the ground may be either of a light or heavy 

 nature, or in a dry or wet state at the time of sowing. 



Earthing and sticking Peas. 



Towards the latter end of the month, the early sown peas will be 

 advancing in growth, and must have earth drawn to their stems as 

 they progress, which will greatly strengthen them and encourage 

 their growth. 



As to sticking peas, always be careful to have this done when they 

 are about six inches high ; for, if they fall to one side or the other, 

 they with difficulty can recover their erect posture ; and if they are 

 double sticked, the better ; that is, place a range of sticks on the one 

 side, all in a regular declining manner, and another on the other 

 side of the row declining in an opposite direction to the former, by 

 which, none can fall out on either side. I cannot too much impress 

 the necessity of rodding well ; for on this, in a great measure, de- 

 pends the abundance of your crops. 



Planting the large Windsor Beans, and other -varieties of the 

 same species. 



As early in this month as possible, plant a full crop of Windsor 

 beans, and also of any of the other varieties which you esteem ; the 

 Mazagan and Lisbon are the earliest, the white-blossom bean is very 

 delicious, and boils much greener than any other kind ; but the 

 green Genoa, bears the heat of our climates better than either of the 

 others, and therefore is the most suitable for late crops. The 

 long-podded bean is very good, and bears well ; but the Windsor, 

 Sandwich, Toker, and broad Spanish kinds, on account of their 

 great size and sweetness, are more esteemed for blanching than 

 any other. The dwarf-cluster bean is a great bearer, never grows 

 above a foot or fourteen inches high, and may be planted in rows 

 either in beds or borders, the rows to be about two feet asunder ; 

 and as this kind branches out considerably from the root, the beans 

 must be planted in single rows, and six inches distant from one 

 another. 



I have again to remark, that it is from the early planted of those 

 kinds, that much produce may be expected ; for when overtaken by 

 the summer heat, whilst in blossom, these drop off prematurely ; 

 consequently, the crops are poor and scanty. 



Continue planting these kinds once every ten days, till the end of 

 this month or beginning of next ; and a& the early crops advance, 

 draw some earth up to their stems, as directed for peas. 



When beans are desired at as early a period as possible, you may 

 force some of the early Mazagan kind, in any of your forcing depart- 

 ments, observing, when the plants are in full blossom, to nip off 

 their tops, which will cause their fruit to set and ripen sooner, than 

 if left tp take their natural course. 



