234 Subtropical Vegetable-Gardening 



BROAD BEAN 



The broad bean (Vicia Faba) does not belong to the same 

 genus as the other common beans, and is very different 

 in appearance. It is much grown in Europe in the spring 

 and summer. Its large flat seeds, an inch or so across, 

 when young and tender, are almost as good as English peas, 

 and are prepared in the same way. In subtropical 

 countries, this bean may be grown in the winter season, as, 

 unlike the lima bean, it will stand some degree of frost. 

 It will not endure much heat, and the summer of most of 

 the United States is too hot for it, though it is raised in 

 Canada. It has been grown in India and in Louisiana, 

 during the cool season, but does not produce a crop of good 

 quality in the hotter parts. In England the seeds of the 

 broad bean are often planted in double rows, consisting of 

 two lines 9 inches apart, the rows being 2 to 3 feet asunder. 

 The seeds are set about 2 inches deep. The plants are 

 upright and the varieties vary from fourteen inches to 

 five feet in height. The pods are picked when the seeds 

 have attained their full size but are still very tender. 

 They are in considerable demand in the countries where 

 they are grown, both for the soups and as cooked vegetables. 

 The Long-pod varieties are the most productive, while 

 the Windsor group are the best for eating. Seeds of the 

 broad bean can readily be obtained from some American 

 and most European seedsmen. In dry weather it is 

 sometimes advisable to soak the seeds for twelve hours 

 before sowing. On the whole, the broad bean seems a 

 promising winter vegetable for the subtropical regions of 

 the western hemisphere. 



