10 The Bulletin. 



fully colored and the foliage becomes yellow, the bushes should be cut 

 down, promptly collected and burned, so as to remove any lodging place 

 for insects or diseases. By this time the growth will be sufficiently 

 matured so that no injury will be done the roots by the removal of the 

 tops. 



Varieties. — Conover's Colossal is the old standard variety of aspara- 

 gus. The Palmetto variety, which has large, thick green shoots, is now 

 being much planted. A French variety, the Argenteuil, has recently 

 been introduced into this country and is being planted on account of 

 its very large, thick, handsome stalks. 



BEANS. 



From a truck grower's standpoint, the many varieities of beans are 

 usually divided into two groups — bush and pole beans. Of the bush 

 varieties, those most commonly grown are the "string" or "snap" beans, 

 the pods of which are harvested when they are about two-thirds grown. 

 In some localities the pods are allowed to fully ripen and only the 

 matured beans are used. The most important of the pole varieties are 

 the large lima and small lima, or "butter" bean, as it is frequently 

 called. Certain strains of so-called dwarf limas have been developed 

 by different seedmen, but except for the difference in making vines, 

 their general characteristics are almost identical with the pole varieties. 

 Very often the blossoms of the tall or true limas are blasted by the hot, 

 dry weather of midsummer. Climatic conditions do not seem to affect 

 the small limas or butter beans in the same way. For this reason the 

 large varieties will grow more successfully in the higher altitudes where 

 weather conditions are more favorable. 



As a rule, string or snap beans are more cheaply grown than any 

 other garden crop, and occupy the land but a short time. Successive 

 plantings can be made from early spring until about the first of July. 

 Only one planting of pole beans is usually made because of their requir- 

 ing a longer season in which to develop. Their habit of growth, neces- 

 sitating the use of stakes or poles, increases the cost of production. 



Beans grow well on almost any reasonably fertile soil, although they 

 probably do best on a light loam. As with other truck crops, careful 

 preparation and thorough tillage produce the best paying results. 

 Some growers consider stable manure the best form of fertilizing 

 material, but as this is not always available for use, the application of a 

 well-selected, complete fertilizer will give profitable yields. Like peas, 

 beans do not require a great amount of nitrogen, particularly where 

 the soil contains plenty of vegetable matter ; but they do require plenty 

 of potash and phosphoric acid to make their full development. A 

 fertilizer having 



Available Phosphoric Acid 8 per cent 



ISTitrogen 2 per cent 



Actual Potash 8 per cent 



