

AMERICAN GARDEX-BEAN 435 



All of the varieties are comparatively tender, and should 

 not be planted before settled, mild weather. They succeed 

 best in warm, light soil, but will flourish in almost any soil 

 or situation, unless it be shaded or very wet. 



When planted in drills, they are made from fourteen to 

 twenty inches apart, and from an inch to two inches in 

 depth. The seeds are planted from three to six inches 

 apart ; the distance in the drills, as well as the space between 

 the drills, being regulated by the habit of the variety cul- 

 tivated. 



If planted in hills, they should be three feet apart in one 

 direction, and about two feet in the opposite. If the variety 

 under cultivation is large and vigorous, four or five plants 

 may be allowed to a hill ; if of an opposite character, allow 

 twice this number. 



To raise Seed. Leave a row or a few hills entirely un- 

 plucked. Seed is of little value when saved at the end of 

 the season from a few scattered pods accidentally left to ripen 

 on plants that have been plucked from time to time for the 

 table. 



Varieties. 



A half-dwarf, French variety. Plant strong Bagnolet. 

 and vigorous, with remarkably large, deep green foliage ; 

 flowers bright lilac ; the pods are straight, seven inches long, 

 half an inch wide, streaked and spotted with purple when 

 sufficiently grown for shelling in their green state, nankeen- 

 yellow when fully ripe, and contain six seeds, which are 

 nearly straight, rounded at the ends, a little flattened on 

 the sides, three fourths of an inch long, a fourth of an 

 inch thick, and of a violet-black color, variegated or marbled 

 with drab. 



About sixteen hundred beans are contained in a quart ; 

 and, as the plants are vigorous growers, this amount of seed 



