Feb.] 



THE CULINARY GARDEN. 



87 



must not be kept too close, as that would cause them ':o grow 

 up weak. 



But where there is not the convenience of a frame for the 

 aforementioned bed, cover it at nights, and in bad weather, 

 with mats, placing hoops, long sticks, or poles, arch-ways 

 across, and over these lay the mats, or Dutch reed-mats, as 

 already recommended. 



Sprinkle them with water occasionally, if moderate showers 

 of rain do not happen about this time, but not so as to create 

 too much damp. 



PLANTING BEANS. 



Any of the beans recommended last month may be now 

 sown, and the sooner in the month the better. In this, and 

 in all other cases connected with planting and sowing, the 

 exact time must be regulated by the state of the weather, and 

 the nature of the soil. In light sandy soils, sowing and plant- 

 ing should be done as early as possible ; and in wet strong 

 soils, the seeds are better in the seed-room than in the ground, 

 when it is not in a proper state to receive them. A few of the 

 early sorts may be planted in the beginning of the month, and 

 tne larger growing sorts towards the end. As the plantings 

 done ihis month will be for principal summer crops, the quan- 

 tity planted should be in proportion to the demand. The long 

 pod and Winvlsor sorts are to be preferred for the last crops 

 planted this month. Plant in lines three feet asunder, and 

 four or five inches apart in the line. For the gardens of cot- 

 tagers and artizans, the middle-sized sorts, such as the long- 

 pods, broad Spanish, and white-blossomed beans, are to be 

 preferred, as they are great bearers, and occupy less room than 

 some of the other sorts in cultivation. About the beginning 

 of this month, plant beans in pots or flat boxes, and place 

 tliem in any of the hot-houses at work, or in a hot-bed frame. 

 When they appear above the surface, remove them to a colder 

 place, so as to harden them by degrees to fit them for trans- 

 plantation next month. Beans are so much' improved by being 

 transplanted, that the practice ought to be more generally 

 adopted tlian it is. In sowing beans for transplanting, observe 



