36 POPULAR VEGETABLES 



use less fire heat and give more ventilation. The 

 system of forcing practised at Syon House for many 

 years, and with considerable success, is quite reliable 

 and not costly. There is nothing elaborate in the 

 process at the start, and once the beds are made they 

 last for many years. The forcing beds at Syon are in 

 an open position, and placed in a portion of the garden 

 where the forcing of other vegetables is usually under- 

 taken. The beds are about fifty feet long, and five 

 feet broad, with three rows of plants about eighteen 

 inches apart in the row, and with ample room at com- 

 mand two rows of plants would suffice, but excellent 

 material is obtained even with the restricted space 

 given. Wider beds are a mistake, and if hot water be 

 not used a distance of four feet is preferable with two 

 rows of plants, as with wide beds and only fermenting 

 materials the warmth does not reach the centre of the 

 bed, and it is more difficult to cut the stems. The 

 beds are three feet deep, a good depth for forced beds. 

 If shallower so much greater is the need for moisture. 

 The alleys are also three feet deep and are formed 

 thus : the two bottom courses are solid, but there is 

 only one brick for the foundation ; the second course 

 is laid lengthwise, so that there is only a four and a 

 half inch wall, and this is pigeon-holed throughout. 

 It is unnecessary to describe the making of the beds, 

 but remember that the soil must be good at the 

 start. Much the same routine will be required as for 

 permanent beds in the open, as regards sowing or 

 planting. Use fresh leaves largely, and these can be 



