Kidney Beans

In mild, sheltered places Scarlet Runner, as well as French dwarf Kidney Beans, may be sown. Ne Plus Ultra, Kentish Invicta, Best of All, and Scarlet Emperor are all good varieties of Runner, and any of them would give satisfaction. The seed should be sown nine inches apart and three inches deep, in rich soil that has been dug two feet deep. If there are two parallel rows, let them be at least six feet apart.

As before stated, Canadian Wonder is one of the best sorts of dwarf Beans. Both plants like a sunny position, and deep, moist soil.

Beetroot

The main crop of Beetroot may be sown now, the seed being sprinkled very thinly in drills drawn not less than a foot apart, and the plants eventually thinned to nine inches asunder. Or two or three seeds may be dropped in the drills in clumps nine inches apart, and the plants thinned to one eventually. The soil should be deeply dug, but not manured. Do not forget to string loose black thread, or to fix fish netting or scares, over the bed when the seedlings show, or the birds will pull them out. Dell's Crimson, Middleton Park Favourite, Cheltenham Green-top, and Blood Red afford a good choice of sorts. All are good.

Asparagus

Heads will begin to push freely early in May. They will vary in thickness from that of a cigarette to that of one's thumb. It is best to leave the thin shoots, as they are not very satisfying on the table, and they do good service on the plants, strengthening the crowns and root stocks. Heads as thick as the little finger, or larger, may be cut when they have pushed about three inches above the soil. The knife should be pressed two inches into the earth so as to get a portion of the lower part of the stem. This will be white and hard, unless special methods of cooking are resorted to, but even if only the upper half is eaten the Asparagus is best cut fairly long, as a portion of stem is wanted to handle it by. The bed should be kept clean of weeds.

Tomatoes

Late-sown plants in seed pans or boxes should be potted or put a few inches apart in deeper boxes. Harden them in frames, so that they will be ready for planting out at the end of the month. Give them abundance of air. Early plants which are coming into bearing may be stimulated with liquid manure. (See under Melons, p. 206).

Lettuces

Thin seedlings, and plant the biggest ones out a foot apart. Sow more seed for successional crops.

Winter Greens

Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, and other winter Greens should be thinned. A last sowing of Broccoli, such as the variety Late Queen, may be made. Savoys and Scotch Kale may also be sown.

Peas

Succession rows may be sown, using an approved variety, such as Autocrat, Gladstone, or Late Queen.