I4 THE CULTURE OF VEGETABLES 



the plants have attained their fourth year. The rough method of 

 market growers consists in the employment of hot dung in trenches, 

 and also on the beds, after the frames are put on. The beds are 

 usually four feet wide, the alleys two feet wide and twenty inches 

 deep, and the plants 'not more than nine inches apart in the row, 

 there being three or four rows of plants in the bed. The frames 

 are put on when forcing commences, but the lights are withheld 

 until the shoots begin to appear. Then the fermenting material is 

 removed from the beds, the lights are put on, and no air is given, 

 mats being added in cold weather, both to keep in the warmth and 

 promote blanching. This method produces a fair market sample, 

 but a much better growth may be obtained by a good hot- water 

 system, as will be understood from a momentary consideration of 

 details. By the employment of fermenting material, the tempera- 

 ture runs up rapidly, sometimes extravagantly, so that it is no 

 uncommon event for the growth to commence at 70 to 80 Fahr. 

 which may produce a handsome sample, but it will be flavourless. 

 The hot-water system allows of perfect control, and the prudent 

 grower will begin at 50, rise slowly to 60, and take care not to 

 exceed 65 ; the result will be a sample full of flavour, with a finer 

 appearance than the best obtainable by the rougher method. 



Forcing in frames is systematically practised in many gardens, 

 and as it exhausts the roots there must be a corresponding pro- 

 duction of roots for the purpose. The first requisite is a good 

 lasting hot-bed, covered with about four inches of light soil of 

 any kind, but preferably leaf-mould. The roots are carefully lifted 

 and planted as closely as possible on this bed, and are then covered 

 with fine soil to a depth of six inches. The sashes are then put on 

 and kept close ; but a little air may be given as the heads rise, to 

 promote colour and flavour. The heat will generally run to 70, 

 and that figure should be the maximum allowed. But every ex- 

 perienced grower would prefer to force at 60 or 65, and to take a 

 little more time for the advantage of a finer sample. 



BROAD BEAN 



(Faba vulgaris) 



THE BROAD BEAN is a thrifty plant, as hardy as any in the garden, 

 and very accommodating as to soil. It is quite at home on heavy 

 land, but in common with nearly all the plants of the garden thrives 



