42 VEGETABLE GROWING IN NEW SOUTH WALES. 



Lima Beans. 



There are dwarf and climbing varieties of lima beans, and of these, the 

 former return the higher yields. 



As a vegetable, the seeds are used either fresh or kept for winter use in 

 the same manner as haricots. 



Planting should not take place before the ground has become warm : these 

 beans do particularly well under fairly warm conditions but will not stand 

 frost. The best results are obtained by placing the seed with the eyes down, 

 in drills 4 feet apart for runners, and 3 feet for bush varieties. In the rows 

 the runner plants should be thinned to about 4 feet apart and the bush vari- 

 eties to 6 inches. Of varieties, the best runners are King of the Garden, 

 Leviathan, and Giant Podded, and the bush varieties recommended are Bur- 

 pees Improved, Bush Lima, and Fordhook Lima. 



Haricot Beans. 



This class of beans, like the preceding one is largely imported, but there is 

 no reason why we should not produce locally the whole of our requirements. 

 The crop has already been grown successfully under the supervision of the 

 Department at Mittagong. 



The method of cultivation is much the same as with French beans, except 

 that the green beans are not the'object, the crop being allowed to mature its 

 seed. The late sown crops (approximately January and February in milder 

 localities) are generally the more profitable, as the beans from early sowings 

 are subject to the attacks of weevil. 



Diseases and Pests. 



Anthracnose or pod-spot (page 91); leaf spot (page 102); mildews (page 

 103); pea-spot (page 104); rust (page 107); sclerotium disease (page 108). 



Aphis (page 110) ; eel worm (page 118) ; French bean fly (page I20);pseudo- 

 looper moth (page 123); tomato and bean bug (page 124). 



Bean and pea seeds are attacked by weevils mentioned on page 126. 



BEET. 



Beet-root is a favourite summer vegetable. It can be grown almost any- 

 where and on practically all soils, but those of a heavy, clayey nature~are the 

 least suitable, and good crops of best quality cannot be expected under those 

 conditions. 



Beet has a tap-root, and requires deep working of the soil. Very rich soils 

 are not altogether suitable, as with this crop extra large roots are not popular. 

 For the same reason it is well not to over-plant too early in the spring, as if 

 not quickly used, the roots become too large before the season is over. Smaller 

 successive sowings will be found to answer requirements much better. The 

 seed can be planted throughout the year, except during the cold, wet, winter 

 months. For good quality, the crops should be quickly grown, as otherwise 

 they become somewhat tough, woody, and coarse flavoured. 



