(jl8 THE PRACTICAL GARDENER. [Jan, 



tables and flowers, as they are proved to answer every purpose 

 of steam, without the expense of erection or after-keeping. 



Asparagus may be cuUivated upon beds formed of fagots, 

 heath, or any like material, and heated by means of external 

 linings of hot dung; in such cases, there will be a material 

 saving of dung, as one bed of fiigots will produce two or three 

 crops in one season. As soon as one crop is cut, clear off the 

 old roots and mould, and throw them away, they are consi- 

 dered as useless, no leaves being allowed to form, of course 

 no buds would follow, and replace the bed with fresh ones. 

 In using such beds, it is advisable to turf them over, to prevent 

 the mould falling in among the fagots, as well as to prevent the 

 roots from sinking in inequalities, and to keep the roots from 

 being too much dried or burnt by the heat. In whatever way 

 asparagus, or most other plants are forced, too much bottom- 

 heat should be guarded against, and every means used to admit 

 the heat to ascend in sufficient quantity to warm the atmosphere 

 of the bed or house in which they are placed. 



Upon the supposition that a bed or pit has been planted 

 about the beginning of the month, another should be got in 

 readiness to be planted in like manner towards the middle, and 

 preparations for a third to be })lanted towards the end of the 

 month. When a large su})ply is wanted, a bed should be 

 planted every ten or twelve days, from the beginning of No- 

 vember till the end of March, when the last put up will con- 

 tinue to yield till it be produced in the natural ground. 



Cover the frames or pits with mats at night, according to the 

 stale of the weather, but remove them always during the day, 

 after the shoots are above the ground. 



FORCING FRENCH OR KIDNEY- BEANS. 



The kidney-bean, being a native of India, is only had in per- 

 fection with us in the warmer months of summer. It cannot be 

 ventured in the open air till all chance of spring frosts is over, and 

 it is destroyed by the first frost in autumn. To prolong the 

 season of this vegetable is a desideratum in most families, who 

 have the means of cultivating it, and the opulent citizens of 



