302 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. January 16. 
mistakes are occasionally made in that way, and it 
would be wrong to induce the very small cultivator to 
attempt the production, as it could hardly fail in 
disappointing him; and though horticultural writers, 
like those in other departments, may be now and 
then found advocating the cause of “ the million,” as 
they are pleased to call it, and asserting the possibility 
of their being “easily” supplied with many things 
now considered as the most expensive luxuries of life; 
the time is yet distant when the poor man will have 
his dish of French Beans in February, his well-flavoured 
Pine-Apple, or his well-toned piano-forte, or similar 
luxuries; so that it would be wrong, in the present case, 
to recommend the adoption of one class of forcing to 
the exclusion of another, without first considering 
whether the new one be more advisable than the other. 
Where the means of the cultivator allows it, French 
Beans put into pots in October will, with care and 
attention, and the requisite heat, produce a thin crop of ! 
fruit in February ; but not more than one-half that the | 
same plants would have yielded in August in the open j 
air. But, then, this is February, and the novelty is great. 
It is not every crop that succeeds well at this untoward 
season, and it is only fair to warn the inexperienced, 
that a very strict attention indeed is required to carry 
the plants through the “ dark days ” in a healthy 
condition; for, be it remembered, this production is 
from a tropical clime, and, being an annual, it is 
only in a natural state produced during the summer 
months there, where the amount of sunshine and 
light forms a marked contrast with the dull days of an 
English December, when it not unusually happens 
that we are not blessed more than one day in the week 
with a sight of that useful luminary; and though we i 
can command heat by artificial means, and, to a certain 
extent, can give dryness, or moisture, to the atmosphere 
of the structure where the plants are placed, yet all our ■ 
efforts at a substitute for the “ all-important ruler of the 
day ” come immeasurably short of the mark; and though 
it is considered impolitic, now a days, to doubt the 
adoption of any wild speculation, however improbable, ; 
we are, nevertheless, not likely to witness the production 
of an “artificial sun” equalling that of the “natural 
one,” and as the article now treated on is influenced 
more, perhaps, by sunshine than any other agent, it 
follows, that when “ compelled,” as it were, to yield its 
fruit at an unwonted season, a great sacrifice must be 
made somewhere; and as the skill and management of 
the cultivator is directed with a view to make the loss 
as small as possible, a few words on the means to be 
adopted will not be out of place here. 
In the first place, we will suppose the amateur has a 
Vinery in which he wishes to have Grapes tolerably 
early in June, it will, therefore, be necessary to com¬ 
mence heating it in some way or other, and as my 
worthy coadjutor, Mr. Errington, will be giving necessary 
directions in the way of cleaning the glass and other 
portions of the house, I will take it for granted, that a 
considerable amount of unoccupied space, with abun¬ 
dance of light, is at liberty to receive this production. 
But do not let me run into error in this matter, for it 
sometimes (yea, I may say, always) happens, that a 
Grape-house, at the first commencement of forcing 
operations, starts at a much lower temperature than 
suits the tropical origin of the Kidney-Bean; it would, 
therefore, be prudent not to commence too soon, unless 
there be the means of stowing them away in some other 
place heated to the temperature of 60°, or thereabouts, 
for directly the cotyledons are fairly out of the ground 
the plant begins to derive benefit, or injury, from the 
atmosphere it is placed in, so that it is often death to it 
when that atmosphere is not congenial to its welfare; 
yet the plan of growing French Beans in pots is, 
perhaps, one of the most simple operations in gardening, 
when the principal points bearing on their culture is 
taken into consideration; and, beginning at the first 
one, a few words will suffice to explain one of the most 
common sources of disappointment. 
Quality of Seed. —Although the dwarf Kidney-Bean 
has a large seed when compared with many other things 
producing a robust growth, yet it is, nevertheless, one 
which speedily ceases to be of service to the young 
plant which germinates from it; in this respect it forms 
a striking contrast to our cereals, especially wheat, 
which for a long time continues to derive nourishment 
and support from the seed kernel; whereas, the seed- 
kernel or cotyledons of the Kidney-BeaU seems quickly 
to become useless in that respect, and as the plant is an 
annual of the tenderest kind, it need not be wondered 
at if it be liable to die off when forced into existence 
at an unusual period of the year. Great care is, there¬ 
fore, required to save the young progeny, and one 
of the most important points is to have the seed good, 
so that a robust, healthy plant maybe commenced with. 
Treatment of the Plant while very young. —This is the 
most critical of all points, and in spite of the greatest 
care losses will now and then occur. Brought into 
existence at a time of year the least of all congenial to 
their well-being, and, as stated above, soon losing the 
uses of the parent seed, or kernel, it need not be 
wondered at if now and then plants die off, and some¬ 
times whole pots or pans of them fall victims at once 
to “ what can hardly be called disease,” for it seems 
more like an ineffectual attempt to live than an attack 
of disease; for the plants die off' sometimes wholesale, 
by decaying at the root, or rather the stem just above 
the surface of the ground. Dustings with lime, wood- 
ashes, or soot, will, in a measure, arrest the decay, but 
not entirely; while a too great abundance of water, 
an atmosphere too cold, or other causes, will have the 
effect of hastening the destruction of the plant, while 
the absence of sunshine will, probably, more than all 
together, tend to lessen their chances of living. The 
latter cause we have no means of preventing; but it 
may be aggravated by denying them the light they 
might have; therefore, by all means, let them be placed 
near the glass, and, as I have before said, let them only 
be very moderately supplied with water, and avoid 
subjecting them to cold draughts of air or any other 
harsh treatment. 
Treatment after the Plants are a little advanced. —This 
should still be careful, as a delicate habit will uot bear 
rough usage; but the danger of their dying off subsides 
when they are a little more advanced. At the same 
time, thej become liable to the attacks of insects, which, 
of course, must be kept at bay, or rather kept away 
altogether; the plants will also want supports of some 
kind or other as they keep growing; but these things 
will easily present themselves to the cultivator. 
In the above outline of their growth, I ought to have 
said, that the seed might be sown thickly in shallow pans, 
and but very sparingly covered over with earth ; and 
when they have obtained their first rough leaf (which is 
their third one), they might be carefully transplanted 
from thence into these fruiting-pots, which with me is the 
kind called in the trade 12’s ; about three or four plants 
to a pot is sufficient, and if they become crowded, it is 
better to pull one or more up for the welfare of the 
others. A position near the glass must be afforded 
them, and they must be only sparingly watered for some 
time. A rather loamy soil, strong, yet not too adhesive, 
suits them best; too open, or light one, only producing 
vine and foliage to the exclusion of fruit. In potting, 
it is very good practice to place these rather deep in the 
pot at first, and afterwards to add soil as required. 
Liquid-manure will be wanted at a more advanced 
period of their growth; but of that I will say something 
hereafter. 'I. Robson. 
