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a light handful over every crown in the bed. The sticks will rise with 

 the litter upon them like night-caps, and will be plump and green and 

 unhurt by frost. 



BEANS may be sown for a late crop, but on hot soils they are not 

 likely to pay. It is customary to top Beans when in flower, and the 

 practice has its advantages. In case the black fly takes possession, 

 topping is a necessity, for the insect can only subsist on the youngest 

 leaves at the top of the plant, and the process pretty well clears them 

 away. 



BEANS, KIDNEY, of all kinds to be sown in quantity. Where 

 appearances are important, sow a mixture of several sorts of Runners, 

 and train them to form a bower. Dwarf Kidney Beans are but 

 seldom allowed as much space as they require, and the rows, there- 

 fore, should be thinned early, for crowded plants never bear so well 

 as those that enjoy light and air on all sides. In continental cookery 

 a good dish is made of the beans shelled out when about half 

 ripe. These being served in rich gravy are at once savoury and 

 wholesome. The best kinds to grow for this purpose are the White- 

 seeded Runners, which, in many places, may be worth growing for 

 use as dry haricots. In this case, of course, the pods should be 

 allowed to ripen, but if intended to be cooked for a summer dish, 

 they should be gathered when the Beans are full grown, but not 

 yet ripe. 



BEET. The main crop should be sown in the early part of the 

 month, Thin and weed the early sown, and if the ground has 

 been suitably prepared it will be needless to give water to this 

 crop. As Beet is not wanted large, it is not advisable to sow 

 any great breadth until the beginning of May, or it is liable to 

 become coarse. 



BROCCOLI to be sown for succession. Plant out from frames and 

 forward seed-beds at every opportunity. About the middle of the 

 month sow for cutting in May and June of next year. 



BRUSSELS SPROUTS. For the sake of a few fine buttons in the 

 first dripping days of autumn, when Peas and Runners and Marrows 

 are gone, put out as soon as possible some of the forwardest plants 

 you have, giving them a rich soil and sunny position. 



CABBAGE. Plant out from seed-beds at every opportunity, 

 choosing if possible the advent of showery weather. Sow the smaller 

 sorts and Coleworts, especially in favoured districts where there is 

 usually no check to vegetation until the turn of the year. 



CAPSICUM may be sown out of doors about the middle of the 



