ENGLISH BEAN. 491 



Cultivation and Use. The seeds are sown at the time 

 and in the manner of the taller kinds of Garden-peas. The 

 plant is principally cultivated for its seeds, the flour of which 

 is mixed with that of wheat or rye, and made into bread. 

 It is also fed to stock ; and, in some localities, the plants are 

 given as green food to horses and cattle. 



"In 1671, its cultivation and use were prohibited on ac- 

 count of its supposed pernicious properties, as it was thought 

 to induce rigidity of the limbs, and to otherwise injuriously 

 affect the system." 



A variety with white flowers and seeds. The "White-flow- 

 ered Chick- 

 foliage is also much paler than that of the Com- ling Vetch. 



mon Chickling Vetch. 



Other species of the genus also produce farinaceous seeds 

 suitable for food, but in too small quantities to admit of 

 being profitably cultivated in this country. 



ENGLISH BEAN. 



Horse-bean. Garden-bean of the English. Vicia faba. 



The English Bean differs essentially from the Common 

 American Garden or Kidney Beau usually cultivated in this 

 country, and is classed by botanists under a different genus, 

 and not as a distinct species, as intimated in the " American 

 Gardener." Aside from the great difference in their general 

 appearance and manner of growth, the soil, climate, and 

 mode of cultivation, required by the two classes, are very 

 dissimilar ; the American Garden-bean thrives best in a 

 light, warm soil, and under a high temperature, and the 

 English Bean in stiff, moist soil, and in cool, humid seasons. 



The English Bean is a native of Egypt, and is said to be 

 the most ancient of all the now cultivated esculents. It is 



