VEGETABLE GROWING IN NEW SOUTH WALES. 41 



In very warm districts, however, wire-netting is apt to become too hot on 

 days when the sun shines bright and clear, and the vines suffer in conse- 

 quence ; for such conditions wooden stakes must be recommended. Another 

 common method of growing beans of the climbing class is to put stakes 

 along each row, sloping them towards each other in. pairs of rows, so that 

 as the beans grow the} 7 climb the stakes and intermingle at the top, each 

 pair forming a pyramidal mass. Under conditions so favourable as to light 

 and air, large quantities of pods are produced, and can be conveniently 

 gathered. Some vegetable gardeners even make use of a couple of pairs of 

 such rows to afford shelter from winds for more tender crops. 



The planting and cultivation in the early stages is similar to that suggested 

 in connection with the dwarf variety. 



The Runner bean that has been most pdpular in recent years is the 

 Epicure, which is a heavy cropper, producing its bean in clusters. If the 

 picking is constant, the plant will bear throughout the summer months, and 

 almost until frost or cold weather cuts it back. Kentucky Wonder is a variety 

 that can also be strongly recommended. Scarlet Runner is largely grown by 

 small gardeners. 



Broad Beans. 



This crop requires heavier land and a better supply of humus and of 

 nitrogenous manure than the other classes of beans, its growth, in most dis- 

 tricts, being chiefly made in the winter months. Very good results have 

 been obtained on heavy clay soil by ploughing fowl manure under during 

 the early preparation of the land. 



Sowing generally takes place during the months of March, April, and 

 May, though in cool districts the seed is often sown in February. 



The method usually adopted is to strike out drills about 3 feet apart in well-- 

 prepared land, and to drop the seeds in the rows about 6 inches apart. The 

 seeds which are large, should be covered fairly deep not less than 2 inches. 

 As evaporation is slow in the winter, broad beans do not usually require so 

 much intercultivation as the summer beans. They form fairly strong- 

 growing plants, and if planted in places sheltered from wind should not 

 require any support. 



When the plants begin to flower the tops should be pinched out to promote 

 the setting of pods. The crop is ready for gathering as soon a? the seed is 

 large enough, but before the " eye " turns black. The whole pod of the Broad 

 bean may be used for slicing in the same way as the French bean, provided 

 the pods are pulled when young. The crop is not grown extensively, its 

 chief recommendation being its winter habit. 



Broad Windsor is the variety most favoured in New South Wales, but the 

 loner pod varieties are earlier and more prolific. The best of these are 

 Leviathan, Seville, Early Long Pod, Aqua Dulcie, and Exhibition. 



