1050 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



down weeds by hand and in giving an occasional dressing of 

 salt or kainit at the rate of 20z. to the square yard during the 

 growing season. Another method is to sow in drills i^lt. or 2ft, 

 apart on level ground, without any beds or alleys, thinning out the 

 plants as above advised when large enough. In the spring a 

 mulch of rich farmyard manure applied to the bed or plantation 

 exercises a powerful influence on the growth, and conserves 

 moisture in the soil during hot weather. Some growers apply the 

 mulch in the autumn, after the tops have died and been cleared 

 away, but there is no doubt that spring mulching is more 

 beneficial. 



If new beds are to be made by planting, and not from seed, 

 the best time to start is when new shoots have been made lin. 

 or 2in. in length, taking care that the roots are kept moist while 

 out of the soil, spreading them out evenly in planting, and giving 

 a thorough soaking of water immediately afterwards if the soil or 

 weather is dry. No shoots or "grass" should be cut from 

 plants raised from seed before the third year after sowing, and 

 even then the cutting should be light. 



For growing outside or for forcing few varieties will equal 

 Connover's Colossal, which is closely followed by Argenteuil 

 Giant. The latter is largely grown in France, much of the 

 "grass" finding its way to our markets. 



Asparagus cultivators are seriously troubled by the attacks of a 

 small (^in.) but 'very handsome Beetle {Crioceris aspa?'agi) and 

 its larvae. The Beetle is bluish-black or greenish, bordered with 

 red ; the thorax is red, and the wing-cases have a black cross 

 formed by the suture and a branch on either side, and three 

 yellowish spots at their margins. The perfect insects are 

 found in summer, and the females deposit their eggs on the 

 stems of the plants. The larvae are greyish or greenish, and 

 have black feet and head. Both grub and perfect insect are 

 destructive. Hand-picking is best for the former, and a kerosene 

 emulsion for the latter. Afte?' the season is over, powdered 

 hellebore may be dusted on the plants. 



Beans. 



Although Broad Beans will thrive on almost all soils, that 

 which is somewhat heavy is best suited for the production of 

 heavy crops and the finest pods ; consequently the heaviest 

 portion of the garden should be selected for them. Ground that 

 has been moderately or well manured during the winter will be 

 in good condition for the reception of the seed. Sow the first 

 crop early in February, and at intervals of three weeks up to 

 the end of March for successional supplies ; alter that date it is 

 little good sowing, as the weather is unfavourable to good 

 produce. The seed should be sown in drills about 3in. deep, 



