Cultural Directions. 151 



I am tempted to call a model trellis for this purpose. 

 Heavy posts are set firmly and deeply into the ground 

 at the ends of each row, and smaller or stout stakes at intervals 

 of 1 8 or 20 feet between them. The upper end of posts and 

 stakes is sawed off square at a height of five feet, and in line, so 

 that a perfectly straight wire (10 or 12 size) can be run from end to 

 end over the tops, where it is held by simple wire staples, but 

 firmly fastened to the end posts, which, for safety's sake, should 

 be firmly braced. A lighter wire or twine is run from post to 

 post at a height of about 6 inches from the ground, and common 

 white cotton yarn wound zig-zag around the two wires (or the 

 wire and twine). Usually I have a row of Limas, etc., in this 

 shape on one side of my kitchen garden, running its entire 

 length, and fully four feet away from other vegetables, in order 

 to give a fair chance for thorough horse work. I also aim to set 

 the posts straight and uniform, to stretch the wires reasonably 

 tight, and to adjust the yarn regularly; and I can assure you that 

 this trellis is not only useful, but when vine-clad, also quite an 



Trellis for Lima Beans. 



ornament to the garden. With such a trellis the vines require 

 very little attention in the way of fastening to the strings. The 

 latter are so temptingly near, that the runners take hold without 

 much coaxing. 



One of the most important advantages of this trellis style 

 over the pole method, I find is the opportunity which it affords 

 us to plant the Limas in a continuous row. Here I use 

 plenty of seed, for I am anxious to secure a full stand, and prefer 

 pulling up plants rather than have vacant spots that spoil the 

 looks of the whole, and materially diminish the yield. Should a 

 bare space occur after all, it is easy enough to fill it with plants 

 taken up from where they stand pretty thickly. Lima beans 

 transplant quite readily, especially if lifted after a rain. Care- 

 fully take up a clump of soil with a few plants on it, on a spade 

 or trowel, and set where needed to fill a gap. 



The royal Lima requires a pretty long season. Many 

 gardeners pinch the ends of the runners after they have made 

 five or six feet of growth, for the purpose of hastening the crop. 

 This treatment is not needed, especially with short poles or the 



