CHAPTER XIII. 



FRENCH GARDEN.-CROPS GROWN BY VARIOUS 

 * INTENSIVE METHODS. 



Intercropping and its Limitations The Best Time for Beginning 

 Hot-beds. HOT-BEDS FOR FRAMES : Arrangement of the Compost- 

 Diagram Sowing and Planting Routine Work Ventilation 

 Gathering Radishes and Lettuces Planting Cauliflowers Dressing 

 the Beds Watering Clearing Beds Alternative Crops Turnips. 

 HOT-BEDS FOR CLOCHES : Compost Arrangement of Cloches Sowing 

 and Planting Water and Ventilation How Cloches are Manipulated 

 for Successional Crops Diagram Covering and Shading Cloches 

 Clearing Beds Extra Early Cauliflowers. Cold Frames Warm 

 Beds for Melons and Cucumbers Various other Methods of Forcing 

 and Forwarding Open-air Crops. 



INTERCROPPING is an essential feature of French gar- 

 1 dening, and it is by this means that the numerous crops 

 which are so marked a feature of the system are obtained. But 

 the experienced maraicher recognises that the possibilities of 

 intercropping has strict limitations, and whilst striving to get 

 the utmost from the soil it is capable of yielding, he is very 

 careful to avoid overcrowding. His ideal is to get not only 

 quantity but quality also. It may appear to be a simple matter 

 to grow together quickly and slowly maturing crops, and so 

 obtain two or more from the space usually occupied by one, 

 but this kind of thing is easily overdone. When too many 

 plants are contending together for light and air^as well as for 

 food and moisture, the gardener will find, in spite of care and 

 attention, that the produce will not develop into the choice 

 specimens he is anxiously hoping for, but comes poor and 

 weedy and of comparatively little value. 



For this reason beginners are urged to carefully carry out 

 in their entirety the directions which follow as to times for 

 sowing and planting, distances between the plants, and other 

 similar details. There is no claim made that these instructions 



