ON FORCING. 929 



high they are planted out in frames on a gentle hot-bed, 9m. to 

 i2in. apart. In this frame they grow to their full size, and as the 

 plants become large enough they are blanched by means of bands 

 of stout brown paper tied round them. When wanted, the Celery 

 is beautifully white and clean. Sutton's Solid White has proved 

 a splendid variety for this early forcing. 



French Beans. — Few vegetables are so easily forced, or can 

 be grown for a longer period in succession, than the Dwarf or 

 French Beans ; in fact, with a nice light hot-house and plenty of 

 heat, there is no difficulty in having tender Beans from the time 

 when the outdoor supply fails until it commences again. The 

 first sowing may be made in 9m. or ioin. pots about the middle 

 of August. Place a crock or inverted oyster-shell over the 

 drainage hole, and some of the roughest of the soil over this, 

 then half fill the. pots with a compost of three parts good fibrous 

 loam and one part well-decayed manure. In this insert about 

 seven Beans at equal distances, and if all germinate reduce the 

 number of plants to five, as if all were left they would become 

 overcrowded, and the crop would consequently be light. A 

 temperature of 55deg. to 65deg., or a little more by sun heat, 

 will suit the plants admirably, provided they are kept close to 

 the glass to get all the light possible. Also maintain plenty 

 of atmospheric moisture, and syringe the growing plants freely 

 on both sides of the foliage ; unless this is carried out Red 

 Spider is practically sure to attack the plants, and reduce their 

 energy and crop. Watering must have the most careful attention ; 

 avoid any extremes of drought or wetness at the roots. Imme- 

 diately the plants show signs of blossom forming the pots should 

 be filled up to within iin. of the top with a compost of half 

 fibrous loam and half well-decayed manure thoroughly mixed ; 

 this will feed the plants and cause them to crop heavily, par- 

 ticularly if the Beans are gathered d.rectly they are large enough 

 for use, and the plants are occasionally given diluted liquid 

 manure (or ioz. of nitrate of soda dissolved in 3gals. of water, 

 and applied weekly). By sowing at intervals of three weeks from 

 the middle of August to the end of March, and giving the 

 cultural details proper attention, a continuous supply of 

 Beans will be produced through all the winter and spring months. 

 Excellent varieties for this early and late forcing are Sir Joseph 

 Paxton, Improved Mohawk, and Osborn's Forcing. 



Mushrooms.— See the Chapter "On Vegetable Culture." 

 Peas. — Occasionally Peas are forced to provide a few dishes 

 in April or May, or before the. ordinary supply grown outside 

 is ready ; but unless particularly wanted for some special 

 purpose, the trouble and expense incurred in growing them 

 under glass are not repaid by results. To get very early crops 

 under glass the Peas should be sown at the beginning of January, 

 or even earlier if they are wanted at the beginning of April, 



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