An Encyclopedia of Horticulture. 



IGC 



Beans — continued. 



Broad and Long-podded {Faha vulgaris). Cultiva- 

 tion : As early as possible in the aHtnmn, deeply trench 

 a piece of ground, and work in a heavy dressing of manure, 

 leaving" the surface of the soil in ridges, to become well 

 aerated by winter frosts. Where desired, a piece of 

 ground on a warm, protected border, can also be deeply 

 dug in November, and a few rows of Mazagans sown to 

 stand the winter. When up, draw a ridge of soil on 

 either side the rows, and in frosty weather strew a few 

 handfuls of bracken, or other light, dry litter, over them. 

 Not much is, however, gained by this winter sowing. 

 Early in January, level the ridges with a fork, working 

 the whole of the surface soil over, and towards the 

 end of the montli, make the iirst sowing, choosing 

 Mazagau and other early varieties. Mark out two rows, 

 9in. asunder, leave a space of 30in., then another two 

 rows, and so on throughout the piece sowti. If preferred, 

 tliey may be sown in single rows at intervals of lyt. 

 The drills should be about Sin. deep, and tho seed from 

 7in. to 9in. apart in the rows. Whore tho double-row 

 system is adopted, arrange the seed for tho plants to como 

 alternately. In March, get in tho main sowing of the 

 Broad and later Long-podded kinds, in the manner already 

 described ; another sowing for late use may bo made in 

 April. When the plants are about Gin. high, earth up as 

 recommended for those sown in the autumn. As soon as 

 a good crop is set, pinch out tho tops of tho plants, to assist 

 the maturation of the Beans, and prevent the attacks of the 

 fly. Figs. 209, 210, and 211 are excellent representations 

 of tho flowering plant, pods, and seed of the Broad Bean. 



Sorts. For early use : Early Mazagan, Long-pod, Mar- 

 shall's Early Prolific, and Seville Long-pod. For late use : 

 Carter's Mammoth Long-pod, and Broad Windsor (white 

 variety). These are all distinct and good varieties. 



Fig. 212. Fruiting Plant of Dwaiif or French Bea.s 



(PllASEOLUS VULGARIS). 



Dwarf or French Kidney JiEAt^siPhaseolus vulgaris). 

 Cultivatioii : This class (see Fig. 212) also requires a rich 

 and deeply trenched rather light soil. A very important 

 point is to get tho ground into a good condition, by fre- 

 quently forking it over ; and, as the seeds are not sown 

 till the beginning of May, there is plenty of time for tho 

 work. Tho liner the .soil is, and the more it is aerated, 

 tho better will it suit the crop. From the beginning of 

 May till tho end of Juno, at intervals, draw out drills 

 about 2ft. apart, and 3in. deep, and in these place tho 

 Beans tolerably thick, as generally they are not all certain 

 to grow. As soon as up, carefully thin them, and slightly 

 earth up to prevent tho wind blowing them about. They 



Beans — continued. 

 should not, however, be earthed higher than the seed leaves, 

 or they will probably rot off in wet weather. Keep free 

 from weeds, and maintain a sharp look out for slugs. In 

 dry weather, water occasionally, giving good drenchiogs, 

 and not mere sprinklings, which do more harm than good. 

 A good mulching of half-rotted manure is very beneficial, 

 as it prevents evaporation to a great extent, besides afford- 

 ing some amount of nourishment to the plants. Great care 

 must be taken to pick off tho Beans as soon as large enough 

 for use, or they will exhaust tho plants. Where seeds are 

 needed, a number of plants should be left for the purpose, 

 and these should be some of the best, to prevent deteriora- 

 tion, or loss of tho truo variety. 



Forcing. French Beans require more heat than can be 

 obtained in either a frame or an ordinary greenhouse ; and, 

 although easy enough to grow in a structure suited to their 

 requirements, yet, if such does not exitst, they are almost 

 sure to fail. A good heat, from 60deg. to 70deg., with 

 abundance of moisture, is necessary for successful results. 

 Plenty of light is also most essential. A position such as 

 that of a cucumber house is generally a siiitable ono ; but 

 tho plants must not be placed under tho cucumbers. Suc- 

 cessional sowings in pots or boxes must be made, from the 

 end of August till March, to keep up a supply. For soil, 

 use good maiden loam, with a little well-rotted manure 

 added. Use Sin. pots, sowing five or six beans in each. 

 Tho first sowing should be placed in a frame and kept 

 well watered, bringing into heat in October; but tho sub- 

 sequent sowings should be placed directly in tho house. 

 Keep the soil moist, and the plants free from aphides 

 and other insect pests, and give air at every favourable 

 opportunity. The plants should bo as near the light as 

 possible, and kept from falling about by tying or placing 

 small pieces of Birch wood round them. In dull weather, 

 it will be found that tho blooms will not set so freely as 

 when tho sun shines brightly ; therefore, every caro should 

 be taken to secure both heat and ventilation when sun- 

 shine prevails. When tho pots get full of roots, and tho 

 plants are bearing fruit freely, a little liquid manure is of 

 groat assistance ; at no time must tlio plants get dry 

 enough to flag. Allow plenty of room for the full de- 

 velopment of foliage, and maintain a minimum temperature 

 of COdeg., with plenty of moisture. 



Sorts. These are very numerous, among tho best being 

 Black Negro, Canadian Wonder, Canterbury, Fulmer's 

 Forcing, Golden Dun, Nowington Wonder, Osborn's Early 

 Forcing, Sion House, and Sir Joseph Paston. 



Runners or Climbing Kidney Beans {Phaseolus 

 Tnultijioriis). Cultivation'. Being tall growers, these need 

 a greater space than tho Dwarf French varieties, and 

 thoy also require support. Rich soil is indispensable for 

 them, and liberal supplies of water on light soils and 

 in dry weather. A good overhead syringing from time 

 to time is also advantageous. Trench and heavily manure 

 a piece of ground in autumn, leaving it in ridges for 

 the winter. In March, level the ridges down, and well 

 work the ground, to render it friable and in good con- 

 dition. The plants being extremely tender, it is not safe 

 to sow before tho end of April or the first week in May. 

 It is preferable to sow in rows, which should be from 

 Gft. to 12ft. apart, and crop tho ground between with 

 other vegetables. Earth up and stake them as soon as 

 ready, to prevent injury from rough wind. A good plan, 

 which may bo adopted to obtain early produce, is to 

 raise the seeds in boxes in a cohl frame, getting them 

 ready for planting out in tho middle of May. Plant at 

 the same distances, and treat afterwards as recommended 

 for those sown out of doors. t 



If preferred, thoy can bo grown on the ground without 

 stakes. Under this treatment, they must have their tops 

 pinched off when about ISin. high, continuing this pinch- 

 ing from time to time as necessary. If this plan is 

 adopted, thQ rows need only be 3ft, apart, the ground 



