183 



put them too close, and to remove caterpillars that are found 

 upon them during the months of July and August. These beans 

 are very hardy, and grow well in almost any soil. 



The Portuguese beans, or Chevaux de Frize, is cultivated like 

 all other beans. Its pod has four-fringed angles, the edges 

 jagged : they are dressed like French beans. 



All the other sorts are grown in the same manner. 



BEET-ROOT, RED AND WHITE. Is grown from seed, and 

 thrives best in a light grey soil. The seed may be sown in the 

 latter end of May, and transplanted either in rows or beds. This 

 crop will not produce such large roots as those sown later, but 

 with care some roots fit for salad may be forthcoming in Sep- 

 tember ; and I would advise the plants being grown on ridges 

 during the rainy season. The leaves, when not too large, of 

 both species, are used and eaten as spinage. The plants should 

 be at least a foot apart, and in transplanting them, care must be 

 taken to draw the root up unbroken, and the whole in which 

 they are put should, with a dibble be made quite even, and the 

 plant put in straight. They may be transplanted at any period 

 of their growth, except when going to seed, which all the early 

 sown is apt to do. Fresh seed, if procurable, is to be preferred, 

 though I have no doubt if seed grown in the Deccan were sent 

 to another part of the country it would thrive well. Beet-root 

 is always the finest for not being transplanted. The soil cannot 

 be too light, and should be of a rich old vegetable manure. 



BooR-CoLE. Grows to great perfection ; the leaves are curled. 

 The tops should be cut off when two feet high ; the sprouts 

 being the only part fit for use. It is cultivated in the same way 

 as cabbages, and may be had all the year round. 



BROCCOLI. For culture, see Cauliflower. 



CABBAGE. I shall confine myself to two or three sorts the 

 drum-head, sugar loaf, and savoy, as all the others require simi- 

 lar care and attention. You may sow the seed in the latter end 

 of May in boxes, or baskets, shaded at first from the sun, and 

 kept continually moist. The advantage of sowing them thus 

 early, is that the plants are strong by the time the rains set in, 



