152 VEGETABLES FOR EXHIBITION 



others. A few of the best brown variety should be 

 grown for a change. Seedlings can never be depended 

 upon. 



BROAD BEANS. 



Broad Beans even when at their best can only rank 

 as a second-class vegetable, nevertheless it is essential 

 always to have them ready during their season, as 

 sometimes in large collections they will have to be 

 included. 



The first sowing should be made about the 2oth 

 of January in boxes two feet long, one foot wide and 

 four and a half inches deep. This date will be found 

 quite early enough for the first batch. Fill the boxes 

 three parts full with a compost consisting of three parts 

 light loam, one part leaf mould, and road grit all in 

 moderately dry condition. 



Thoroughly water in and place in a cool fruit or 

 greenhouse, failing this a cold frame or a sheltered 

 position in the open. Cover with pieces of board or 

 glass, and keep the frost away until the young growths 

 appear, then thoroughly harden, exposing as much as 

 possible, and encouraging a sturdy growth. The plant- 

 ing out may be done as soon as the weather will permit. 



These sowings should be repeated once a fortnight 

 for six weeks, after which the seed can be sown out- 

 side. To produce exhibition pods, it is necessary to 

 thoroughly prepare the ground. Trenches should be 

 taken out in the same way as for Celery, three feet 

 apart, eighteen inches deep and the same in width. 



