8 4 



Commercial Gardening 



allusion has been made, the Beans are kept within the 3 ft. allotted to 

 them. Which of the two systems will prove the more profitable largely 

 depends upon the local demand for Beans and the supply of sticks. In the 

 market-gardening districts the sticks are not used. [j. u.] 



The French or Kidney Bean (Phaseolus valgaris). This was intro- 

 duced from South America, and is now extensively grown all over the 

 civilized world. As a rule, the seeds are sown too thickly, with the result 

 that the crop suffers. By sowing in drills 2 ft. apart, with the plants 1 ft. 





Fig. 462. Kidney Bean Button's Perfection 



from each other, about 14,000 plants would go to the acre. Taking the 

 average yield of pods from each as weighing J Ib. this would give 7000 Ib. 

 to the acre. As a matter of fact, as much as 10,000 to 12,000 Ib. per acre 

 may be obtained by a little extra attention to hoeing between the plants. 

 Early supplies will realize from 3d. to 6d. per pound, but later on in the 

 season perhaps only \d. or \d. at the most can be secured. Where a 

 grower has a supply of bell glasses or cloches at his disposal he might 

 utilize them to good advantage to bring on the plants to earlier maturity, 

 and thus secure the higher prices. [j. w.] 



French or Kidney Beans may be claimed without question as a market- 

 garden crop. Sowings are made in succession from early May to July in 

 rows 2 ft. apart. Several sorts are favoured the Early Dun (for first 



