Cli.XV.] ON BEANS. ^if 



sinking througli the eartli, and thus, in wet seasons, sometimes occasions 

 the grain to rot*. 



A very considerable difference of opinion prevails among farmers, who 

 adopt both the drill and dibble, regarding the distance at which the rows 

 should be placed ; some sowing them from 9 or 10 to 15 inches apart, and 

 others in double rows, within 4 inches of each other, though separated by 

 an intermediate space of eighteen inches. Those who practise the horse- 

 hoeing system, however, more generally sow them in single lines at full 

 27 inches, and sometimes 3 feet wide, thus allowing ample room for a 

 horse to work within the rows ; and throughout their growth scufflers, or 

 skims, with shares of various sizes, are constantly kept at work between 

 them. These tools are usually combined with a double mould-board 

 plough, which is made to expand at pleasure for the purpose of earthing 

 up, which is usually done when the plants are about 18 inches high; but 

 although this generally finishes the operations of horse-hoeing, yet it is 

 sometimes necessary to go through the field again with the hand-hoes. 

 By these means the stems are sheltered, the vegetation of the plants is 

 greatly strengthened, and if the implements be skilfully and sedulously 

 applied, the value of the crop, as well as the cleanness of the stubble, will 

 both afford sure proof of the farmer's care and judgment; and, on good 

 soils, a" clean bean-stubble is little, if at all, inferior to a clover ley for 

 wheat f . 



* We also expected to have been able to insert the representation of a dibble drill 

 upon the lever principle, which has been lately advertised by Mr. Bayldon, of Barnsley; 

 but we did not receive an answer to our application for a description of it until too late 

 to insert an engraving of it in this Number; though it apparently possesses considerable 

 merit. 



This, indeed, is not the first instance by many of much greater inattention to our 

 requests by eminent agriculturists, who profess to have the interests of husbandry at 

 heart ; and, if they treat the subject with carelessness, we have no right to complain 

 of the jealousy and neglect of which common farmers are generally accused. 



f In treating of the cleaning process, that recommended by Brown of JVIarkle is as 

 follows : — " About ten or twelve days after the young plants have appeared above the 

 surface, enter with the scraper and loosen any weeds that may have vegetated. At 

 this time the wings or cutters of the implement ought to be particularly sharp, so that 

 the scraper may not run too deep, and throw the earth upon the plants. In about ten 

 days after the ground is scraped, according to the state of the weather and other cir- 

 cumstances, use the small swing plough to lay the earth away from the sides of the 



p 2 



