370 THE NEW GARDENING 



would begin, in the ordinary way, in the spring of 1916. 

 A crown should not be forced unless the thick fleshy 

 roots, gathered into a mass, form a good handful, because 

 the heads from weak crowns are spindly and unsubstantial. 

 Given strong stools there is no difficulty whatever in 

 forcing Asparagus in hotbed frames, for it grows readily 

 with bottom heat and moisture. All that is necessary is to 

 place the roots on the soil just touching each other, then 

 cover them with about three inches of light, moist soil, 

 give a good watering, and put on the lights. The frames 

 may be syringed with lukewarm water daily. If frosty 

 weather should supervene mats may be thrown over the 

 lights. After a long spell of hard weather a layer of fresh 

 manure may be packed round the outsides of the bed and 

 base of the frame. If plants are raised from seed, the 

 variety Connover's Colossal may be chosen, for it is one 

 of the earliest sorts and also one of the best. 



Kidney Beans. Two types may be grown, the dwarf 

 French and the climbing French. The former is the more 

 often used, and it is the more convenient to grow, because 

 the plants take up very little room and are easily staked. 

 But the latter is very productive, and will yield much 

 heavier crops than its dwarf sister. Neither is suitable 

 for frame-culture, and the climbing variety at all events 

 must have house-room . They are mentioned in connection 

 with forced vegetables because it is common to grow them 

 in the winter and early spring. They are sown in 7-inch 

 or 8-inch pots, and brought on in warm, light houses. 

 They are quite easy to grow, the climbing form especially, 

 if regular syringing with lukewarm water can be prac- 

 tised ; but not otherwise, as if the air becomes dry around 

 them they are almost sure to be attacked by red spider, 

 and that means speedy failure. Tender and True and 

 Princess of Wales are suitable varieties of the climbing 



