Some Practical Points in Bean-Growinjo-. 



By J. E. Wilson, Linwood, N. Y. 



Beans seem more particular in requirements of soil and climate 

 than most farm crops. The area devoted to cultivation is quite 

 limited, western New York and Michigan furnishing the greater 

 part of the domestic crop. Their cultivation has necessarily been 

 developed in the field by practical experience, and methods here 

 outlined are employed by our most successful bean-growers. 

 Beans do best on rather heavy soil if well drained, naturally or 

 otherwise. They are very sensitive to an excess of water in the 

 ground. Good corn land will grow good beans, generally. They 

 will not thrive on light or sandy soils unless well manured. A 

 clover sod makes the best seed bed. A corn stubble manured the 

 year previous for corn, or an old sod, fall plowed, will give good 

 results. They pay well for stable manure, especially if applied 

 the fall or winter before on sod. Plow the ground in spring as 

 soon as dry enough to work mellow, usually the early part of 

 May with us, plowing deep, eight to ten inches, if the soil 

 will admit of it, and do a thorough job, as careless plow- 

 ing will materially reduce yield. As soon as plowed, ground 

 is rolled and thoroughly fitted, and then worked over about once 

 a week until planting time. It should be cultivated twice or 

 more, during this time, with a large-toothed cultivator, working 

 it from four to six inches deep. This deep working by large- 

 toothed implements, thoroughly stirring the soil and bringing 

 new particles together, seems to bring about some chemical ac- 

 tion, which, while it may not be understood, has proved beneficial. 

 If it is a dry spring, only shallow working should be given for 

 a few days previous to planting, that the moisture may rise near 



