250 
THE AMATEUR’S KITCHEN GARDEN. 
Forcing French Beans. — In the production of a supply 
of French beans during the winter and spring months, a 
structure in which a temperature ranging from 65 deg. to 75 
deg. can he maintained without difficulty is of primary im- 
portance, for they cannot be cultivated with any degree of 
success without a liberal degree of warmth. The form of 
structure in which they are grown is of no consequence what- 
ever, provided the plants can enjoy a sufficiency of warmth 
and full exposure to the light. Heat and light they must 
have, and if they are well provided for in these respects, and 
the watering pot and the syringe are employed judiciously, 
and with rather a liberal hand, there will not he much diffi- 
culty in obtaining excellent crops. 
A small lean-to or span-roof house which during the 
summer season is devoted to cucumbers and melons, is 
admirably adapted to the requirements of the winter crops 
of French beans, but good crops may he obtained from plants 
placed in the pinery. The atmosphere of the pine stove 
is rather too dry for them, and by the time the last gathering 
is made the foliage will be badly infested with red spider, but 
this is not a matter of any very great consequence, for the 
pines are well able to resist the attacks of the pest, and there 
is not the slightest risk of their being injured. But it is not 
so with grape-vines, for they are most susceptible to injury 
from the attacks of red spider. Therefore, if the space can be 
spared for the beans in the pine stove — as, for example, upon 
a shelf near the glass — take advantage of the spare room ; but 
no matter how much space in a vinery may be at command, 
you must never attempt to grow beans in it, for when the red 
spider makes its appearance upon the foliage of the beans, it is 
practically impossible to prevent its spreading to the vines. ' - 
The selection of a suitable variety for forcing is a rather 
nice point, because the very finest of the sorts differ much in 
productiveness when grown under glass. The neat dwarf 
variety known as Sir Joseph Paxton is the very best for 
forcing. Newington W onder is also good. 
When a supply is required for as long a period as possible, 
make the first sowing about the middle of August, and the 
second about the middle of September. Sow in eight-inch 
pots seven beans in each, and stand the pots on a hard surface 
out of doors. It is a very good plan to stand them in a line 
by the side of a broad walk in the kitchen garden, for they 
