LEGUMINOUS VEGETABLES 49 



to a considerable depth, so that it well repays to break it up at 

 least two spits deep. With the lower spit plenty of partially- 

 decayed manure should be mixed. If the soil is sandy, cow or 

 pig manure is best ; but if clay is the principal element, that 

 from horses is preferable. Some superphosphate or steamed 

 bone-meal a good handful of either to each yard run of row 

 should be strewn upon the surface and dug lightly in. If the 

 soil is very stiff clay, burnt earth, old potting soil, road scrapings, 

 anything of a porous nature that will tend to render it more 

 friable, may be added. The time usually selected for sowing 

 Runner Beans is the second week in May ; it is inadvisable to 

 sow earlier because the plants are so easily injured by frost. 

 In cold districts, and where early crops are desired, the best 

 plan is to sow the seeds in pots or deep boxes and bring the 

 plants along in a cold frame, transplanting them to their per- 

 manent quarters about the end of May. Where such a system 

 is adopted, it is highly essential that the plants be grown on 

 as sturdily as possible ; any attempt at forcing results in weak, 

 attentuated specimens, unfit for cultivation. In sowing out- 

 doors, make a trench about three inches deep and fifteen inches 

 wide ; this facilitates watering during hot weather. The seeds 

 should be sown in two rows in the trench, placing them eight 

 inches apart in the rows and leaving the rows about ten inches 

 asunder. Two inches is about the right depth to sow. When 

 the seedlings appear, steps must be taken to guard them against 

 slugs, which are particularly fond of them. Apart from trap- 

 ping the pests, ashes, soot, or lime may be sprinkled round 

 the plants, but the soot or lime must not touch the foliage. 

 As soon as the plants begin to run, stout stakes, twine, or coarse 

 netting about six feet high must be placed for them to climb. 

 The plants will climb much higher than six feet, however, if 

 supports are available. The plants may be topped i.e., the 

 centres pinched out when about one foot high if desired ; 

 but this is far from an ideal method of growing Runner Beans, 

 for wherever a pod rests on the ground its flavour is impaired. 

 During hot weather, and particularly when the plants commence 

 to flower, copious supplies of water must be afforded, with 

 weak liquid manure, once a week. When the plants reach 

 the tops of their supports, the growing point of each 

 should be nipped out. The Scarlet Runner is a perennial, 

 and roots may be either left in the ground, with a protective 

 covering, or pulled up, tied in bundles and hung up in 

 a dry shed all winter. Planted out next season, these 



