38 POPULAR VEGETABLES 



attain a fair height. Previous to placing the leaves 

 in position, indeed early in November, rake over the 

 beds, using a quick-acting fertiliser, which is conveyed 

 to the roots by the rains just before growth begins. 

 When cutting ceases, food should be freely given until 

 midsummer. The beds will give a supply until the 

 end of April, indeed later, but it is not advisable to 

 cut after that date. A three months' supply is not bad, 

 and the produce from beds forced thus is equal to 

 that from beds in the open. There is one objection : 

 the growths early in the season are white, but as the 

 weather becomes warmer, the beds can be exposed in 

 the middle of the day. 



BEANS. 



Beans are divided into three distinct groups, the 

 French, Runner, and Broad, and we may add another 

 type, which is closely related to the tall Runner the 

 Climbing French Bean, of which there are half a dozen 

 different varieties, very free bearing, and available over 

 a long season. Among our tender or summer vege- 

 tables the French Bean is a great favourite. Few 

 vegetables force more freely, and in some parts of the 

 country they are available every week of the year, 

 while in most places there is no difficulty in having a 

 nine or ten months 7 supply. The most troublesome 

 period to bridge over, especially near large towns, is from 

 November to the end of January, as the flowers fail 

 to set properly, and the result is an unprofitable crop. 



