152 



Even if the average seedsman were disposed to give complete 

 and accurate descriptions he would be unable under present condi- 

 tions to do so, for only a small number of the larger seed-houses 

 maintain trial grounds. The growing of beans for seed is usually 

 done by specialists, and in the absence of any published descrip- 

 tions of the various varieties, each grower makes his selection ac- 

 cording to what he believes is the true type. As a result, a variety 

 soon loses those characters which mark it as distinct and desirable 

 for some particular purpose. There is therefore a strong demand, 

 both by the growers and the dealers, for more definite information 

 about the qualities of the various advertised varieties. 



A better knowledge of existing types would obviate the whole- 

 sale re-naming of varieties. It is evident, therefore, that there 

 should be a published description of the various horticultural var- 

 ieties. The best time for such publication is when the variety is 

 introduced, and the one most capable of writing the description is 

 the originator, for he alone knows the peculiar characteristics and 

 adaptations of the new type. The present paper will in no way 

 take the place of such publications, for the writer must treat the 

 varieties as he finds them. The purpose here is to call attention 

 to the importance of establishing standards and to furnish in printed 

 form as much information as possible about the varieties of one 

 of our most important garden crops. 



A further reason for the publication of detailed descriptions is 

 found in the correlation of characters. Some common character 

 often suggests other peculiarities not always apparent. For ex- 

 ample, an ill-defined, flattish point on the pod is in itself of no 

 value, but it is a good indication of lack of fiber in the pod, for 

 it is quite possible to determine the stringiness of a pod by the 

 character of the point or spur. In the same way the purplish 

 color of stems is a character of no horticultural value, l)ut it indi- 

 cates a dark colored seed. 



To determine the economic value of the various varieties of beans 

 would require not only a test of all varieties under varying condi- 

 tions of soil and climate, but a trial extending over a number of 

 years. The present paper, however, makes frequent comment on 

 the vigor, hardiness, productiveness, disease resistance, and the like, 

 but it must be borne in mind that these are observations of three 

 seasons only — 1905 at Ithaca, 1906 and 1907 at Storrs, Connecti- 

 cut. It should be mentioned, however^ that the writer's conclusions 

 were somewhat verified by a visit during the season of 1905 to 

 the trial grounds of the United States Department of Agriculture 

 at Arlington, Va., and of N. B. Keeney & Son, Le Roy, N. Y. 



