68 MARKET NURSERY WORK 



The seed tubers are put in the warm to sprout some time in 

 December. In January they are ready for planting, one " set " 

 to a pot or box. The soil must be retentive of heat and of 

 moisture, but with a good drainage to carry away all that is 

 superfluous. 



When the young plants are pushing up, steps must be taken 

 to induce strong rather than rapid growth, and a little fresh air 

 daily will conduce to that. New " earthing-up " soil will be 

 added as growth proceeds, for which space will have been 

 reserved at time of planting. Whatever is possible in the way 

 of providing the outside conditions of May and bringing them 

 to bear in the greenhouse in February should be attempted, 

 and these conditions are moderate warmth, moisture, light, and 

 a genial air. Can these be reproduced ? We say yes, by means 

 of the fire-heat, the syringe, and the ventilators. 



It will be found that the tops will grow too rapidly to support 

 themselves in an upright position and will gradually fall over 

 the pots or the boxes, but that matters little so long as they 

 remain healthy and active. It is, however, always well to select 

 a dwarf growing variety for forcing. 



There need be no fear of disease under the spring-like conditions 

 we have secured, and if the treatment has been what it should, 

 every pot and every box should be pregnant with 2 Ib. weight 

 of fine shiny, clear-skinned tubers, without a mark upon them, 

 and ready for lifting by Lady Day. Their cultivation in pits 

 is a matter of routine and need not be described here, as it is not 

 a catch crop in our sense of the word. 



FRENCH BEANS 



As an alternative main crop to cucumbers, the climbing 

 French bean is in considerable favour with many growers. 

 It is also sometimes used as an " interim " crop if the cucumber 

 crop has given out before its time. But it is the dwarf bean 

 that is principally used for a catch crop, and which we have 

 many times used ourselves. We have grown it along the edge 

 of the early peach border, also in pots or boxes in the vinery 

 or elsewhere, and have nearly always had satisfactory results. 

 One point in its favour is that it does its work quickly. 



