]26 



In the first crop, each pod contained only 1.3 of beans, where- 

 as in the second crop each pod contains 2.1 beans. 



The first crop had 5228 imperfect beans; imperfect in ap- 

 pearance, in shape and colour, defects which, while not rendering 

 them uneatable, would certainly detract of their marketable value. 

 The second crop, although it was examined with greater closeness 

 than the previous one, had not one such bean. 



Of beans uneatable, maggotty, etc., the first crop had 38^ ounces 

 for a total weight of 337 ounces or 11 per cent, the second crop 

 had 2.36 for a total weight of 137^ oz. or l.TO per cent. 



Again, if we compare the weights of the two crops we find: 

 2nd Greneration 14522 beans weighing 337 oz. or 2.32% beans. 

 5rd „ 5822 „ ^ 137| oz. „ 2.36% 



The greatly improved quality of the beans of the latter genera- 

 tion is attributable to better weather conditions, secondly to ab- 

 sence, so far, of fungoid disease, and thirdly to more severe selec- 

 tion of the seeds which, one by one, imderwent three sortings 

 before sowing. 



The Mature Bean. 



The pod of the Lima bean, Avhen approaching maturity, is, 

 at first, of a bright yellow colour, which turns in on© day or at 

 ihe most in two, to a true khaki colour; at this stage, the beans 

 are loose from the shell and, on shaking the pod, are heard to 

 rattle inside. Then, is the time to pick them: if picking is de- 

 layed, dehiscence takes place and the beans may fall to the ground. 

 The pods which, at maturity, are not of a true khaki colour, but 

 which show streaks of brown or purple, or which are mottled' green 

 and brown, have almost invariably damaged beans, the stains being 

 due to the decomposed state of the beans brought about by maggots 

 or to the cancerous condition induced by ColJeiofrichum Undemu- 

 fliianum. 



The beans selected for seed should be pure Avhite — opaque — 

 uot glossy but " mat " to use the French term. Any beans which, 

 after keeping for a week, show a shrivelled skin or any discolora- 

 tion whatever, or which take a semi-transparent hue, should be dis- 

 carded: but such beans may be perfectly good to eat. 



The beans selected for seed should be firm to the feel, and 

 hard under the nail. 



The diversity and irregularity of shape, and of size of the 

 Lima beans has perhaps contributed, as much as anything else, to 

 prevent their more general acceptance in Europe, for this uneven 

 ness necessitates a rather troublesome sorting before marketing. 

 For that reason, some care should be given to this matter of shape 

 in the selection of the beans for seed, with a view to attain a type 

 of true kidney-shape. The two predominating contours, I find, 

 are the boomerang-shape, (but full on the inside) with a rather 

 sharp apex — and the kidney-shape of the ordinary garden bean, 

 but with the inside curve less pronounced. 



The boomerang-shaped bean is almost always flat and large; 

 the kidney-shaped is less large but it is rounder, plumper, fuller. 



