October i, i88r.] 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
37i 
planting out, be sure to be broken, and the plants 
much checked in consequence. By the time the rains 
arc ovor the young seeding plants should be about 
ton inches high. 
The most economical mode of proceeding then is, 
in a plot of ground selected for the purpose, to dig 
cylindrical holes a foot wide and two or morn feet 
deep at a distance of a foot and a half apart. In 
these, to a depth of about ten inches, throw a 
compost of equal part of mould and well-decayed 
manure ; plunt one plant in each, spreading the roots 
horizontally in a fan form, and taking care not to 
break them in doing so. Well water them, and con- 
tinue to do so constantly, never allowing ihe soil to 
j dry ; as the plants advance in height, keep 
in soil well enriched with manure. In three 
r months' time the holes will thus become 
ip to a level with the surrounding ground, 
the end of April or beginning of May they 
as vigorous a growth as possible, vvnen tne rains 
commence the plant will require no further attention ; 
they will send up at that time several shoots from 
which cuttings might be made for table use ; but it 
is far better to spare them and allow them to grow 
into branches, and not make any cuttings till the 
following yenr. In the cold season the stems will 
die entirely down, and the plants remain dormant till 
March, when they will make indications af again 
sprouting. At this time preparations, may be made 
for what is called forcing them for the table, The 
earth should be removed till the roots of the plants 
are reached, and a good rich dressing of manure sup- 
iicd ; after this they should be well watered daily. 
In about a fortnight's time fine green heads will 
begin to show themselves above ground which, may 
be cut for the table. " 
The preceding is but a modification of the old 
Knglish method of cultivation, and is decidedly 
better than another system frequently adopted here, 
Which is to crowd tho plants into a bed frequently 
at a distance of not more than nine inches apart. 
People imagine that by so doing a larger crop is ob- 
tained. This is an entirely mistaken idea, for no matter 
how rich the soil they may be grown in, or how 
liberally supplied with manure, the produce will in- 
variably be inferior, and for a very good reason, 
namely, want of sullicicut room at the roots. Even 
tho space between tho plants, recommended by Fir- 
miuger, has been found by experienced cultivators in 
(England to be quite inadequate to the requirements 
of the plants, most of whom are now adopting the 
continental system of culture. This method is so 
simple, and lias proved so successful, that I would 
strongly advise a fair trial being given it in this 
country, The following, taken from the Garden of 
February 12th, 18S1, fully describes the process:— 
" Although tho dotails of the system of growiug 
I \*l" ,rft gu a require some little space to describe 
ou paper, the essential differences between that and 
the \ torn commonly employed in England are so 
very clear that they may bo shortly stated. Each 
i ' treated as an individual — as a vigorous sub- 
jei t, requiring mnoh space in which to grow, if strong 
growth and strong shoots are required. Long ex- 
nvranoe has taught cultivators that 11 smaller spuco 
than four feet apart will not suffice to give the very 
best results. At first light people in this country 
might inppoie that this m<ans a waste of ground, but 
it Kolly is not so. At first, when tho plantation is 
young, watte of ground is nvoided by taking a light 
crop oil' between tho lines, say one of kidney beans 
or early potatoes, but after a good year's growth, and 
when the asparagus gets strong, its roots really occupy 
the whole space, and the result is so much more 
satisfactory than in the common way, that the ground 
affords a better and more satisfactory return. There 
are two principal ways of growing this crop — one de- 
moting a certain portion of the ground to it as usual 
with us, the other alternating plants between rows of 
small fruits, or placing a plant where there is room 
for one. Tui* last way is important, because it may 
be carried out in small gardens everywhere, and by 
its means we should become more readily convinced 
of tho value of giving plenty of room. Single plant here 
and there in open spaces, wherever room can bo found 
for them, would, from the sufficient space idlowed to 
each plant, soon convince all of tbo value of the system. 
planting. — Healthy young plants are always chosen, 
and they arc planted about the time, or a little before 
the time, when growth commences in spring. They 
are invariably planted in a shallow trench, somewhat 
like a celery trench, not quite so deep, and not 
manured as that is, supposing the ground is in fair 
condition. In a trench about eight inches deep the 
plants are placed on littlo low hillocks, and they are 
carefully attended to for the first year. The plants, 
be it noted, are four teet apart in the line, and the 
same distance between the trenches. It will be noticed 
that the second essential difference between the com- 
mon way that is in use with us, and the way it is 
now desired to make known is, that in garden soil 
of fair quality no manure is used at the time of 
planiing. There are soils in which drainage and pre- 
paration might be required; but assuming that the 
soil is as good as garden soil generally is, no pre- 
paration is given beyond the opening of the trench, 
and the planting of each root in a little fine sur- 
face soil. The great expense which has been supposed 
to be necessary in the culture of this plant is at 
the commencement at all events avoided. It is when 
the plants begin to get strong and well established 
that a little manure is applied. There is thus a 
great economy in two things— in plants and in manure, 
which, under the usual system with us, is used to 
the most wasteful extent, so much so indeed as to 
seriously limit production by causing alarm as to ex- 
pense. A most important point is the regular stak- 
ing of the plants, the stakes being placed clear of 
the root, and in a slauting position across the shoots of 
each plant to which tlu-y are loosely but firmly tied." 
Broad Beans (Faba vulgaris). 
It cannot be said that the cultivation of this fine 
old vegetable is attended with unqualified success in 
this country. Frequently, from some unexplainable 
cause although plants may thrive vgorously and bloom 
freely, they obstinately refuse to set a single pod. 
They succeed best in a deep, stiff, loamy soil with 
a moderate amount of well-rotted manure added. 
The seed should first be steeped in warm water for 
about twelve hours, otherwise they will take a very 
long time to germinate. The sowing should be made 
in October as early as possible after the rains in drills 
about eighteen inches apart. ; the seed should be planted 
about two inches deep with a space of four inches 
between them. As soon as the plants havo ceased 
blooming, piuch off about two inches of tho top ; 
this will induce them to set more freely, and an 
occasional syringing during tho time they are in bloom 
will also conduce to tho production of pods. Some 
authorities recommend sowing tho seed in bi>.\es or 
pans, and as soon as they are two or throe inches 
high, transplant them into tho open ground. Ono 
advantage, gained by this method is, that tho crop 
grows moio uniformly, and is it also stated that tho 
fruiting is thereby considerably accelerated. 
lli'N.NKrt Beans (I'lumrolua multiflonu.) 
Scarlet runners, as they aro more generally called, 
eauuot bo growu successfully here, although they thrivo 
