170 THE PRACTICAL GARDENER. \May 



pods growing to a considerable length, but they cannot be re- 

 commended on the same principle as the scarlet-runner, for 

 the length of time in which they yield their produce. 



The drills for all the running or climbing sorts of kidney- 

 beans should be at least four feet six inches distant, or a single 

 drill may be di'awn at the base of any vacant wall, paling, 

 building, &c., and when the plants have attained their double 

 leaves, and begin to push their runners, some tall sticks or 

 poles should be placed for the plants to climb upon ; or if they 

 be planted in a row or drill at the base of a wall, some strong 

 packthread, or junk, may be suspended fi'om the top, and 

 fastened at the bottom, and the runners will readily twine 

 * themselves round it to the height of eight or ten feet ; they 

 should then be topped, which will contribute greatly to the 

 production of fi'uit on the lower branches. 



For artizans and cottagers, the scarlet-runners are both pro- 

 fitable and ornamental for their gardens and cottages. 



THINNING AND CLEANING CARROTS. 



By the end of this month the crops of carrots will be consider- 

 ably advanced in their gTowth, and every encouragement should 

 be given to promote it; if the early crop have been sown 

 broad-cast, it may be thinned out to three inches square ; but 

 if sown in lines, it must be thinned to one or two in line. 



The operation of thinning may be done either by the hand 

 or hoe, but when the crops are on an extensive scale, hoeing 

 is the preferable method, not only as being the most expe- 

 ditious, but also, that as it loosens the surface of the ground, 

 it tends to promote the vigorous growth of the plants. It^is a 

 practice, although founded in error, but too commonly adopted 

 by many persons, of thinning the carrots at one particular 

 time, and, without observing any regularity in the process ; but 

 this should be studiously avoided, for it must be obvious, that 

 a partial thinning must be productive of injury to that part 

 of the crop, where the thinning has been neglected. Five or 

 six inches are the proper distance at which the carrots should 

 stand, in order that they may have full liberty to swell at the 

 root ; it is, however, recommended never to thin carrots when 



