

AN ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF HORTICULTURE. 



163 



Beans continued. 



BROAD AND LONG-PODDED (Faba vulgaris). Cultiva- 

 tion: As early as possible in the autumn, deeply trench 

 a piece of ground, and work in a heavy dressing of manure, 

 leaving the surface of the soil in ridges, to become well 

 aerated by winter frosts. Where desired, a piece of 

 ground on a warm, protected border, can also be deeply 

 dog in November, and a few rows of Mazagans sown to 

 stand the winter. When up, draw a ridge of soil on 

 either side the rows, and in frosty weather strew a few 

 handfuls of bracken, or other light, dry litter, over them. 

 Not much is, however, gained by this winter sowing. 

 Early in January, level the ridges with a fork, working 

 the whole of the surface soil over, and towards the 

 end of the month, make the first sowing, choosing 

 Mazagan and other early varieties. Mark out two rows, 

 Sin. asunder, leave a space of 30in., then another two 

 rows, and so on throughout the piece sown. If preferred, 

 they may be sown in single rows at intervals of lift. 

 The drills should be about Sin. deep, and the seed from 

 Tin. to 9in. apart in the rows. Where the double-row 

 system is adopted, arrange the seed for the plants to come 

 alternately. In March, get in the main sowing of the 

 Broad and later Long-podded kinds, in the manner already 

 described; another sowing for late use may be made in 

 April. When the plants are about Gin. high, earth up as 

 recommended for those sown in the autumn. As soon as 

 a good crop is set, pinch out the tops of the plants, to assist 

 the maturation of the Beans, and prevent the attacks of the 

 fly. Figs. 209, 210, and 211 are excellent representations 

 of the flowering plant, pods, and seed of the Broad Bean. 



Sorts. For early use : Early Mazagan, Longrpod, Mar- 

 shall's Early Prolific, and Seville Long-pod. For late use : 

 Carter's Mammoth Long-pod, and Broad Windsor (white 

 variety). These are all distinct and good varieties. 



FIG. 212. FRUITING PLANT OP DWARF OB FRENCH BEAR 

 (PHASEOLUS VULGABIS). 



DWABF OB FRENCH KIDNEY BEANS (Phaseolus vulgaris). 

 Cultivation : This class (see Fig. 212) also requires a rich 

 and deeply trenched rather light soiL A very important 

 point is to get the ground into a good condition, by fre- 

 quently forking it over ; and, as the seeds are not sown 

 till the beginning of May, there is plenty of time for the 

 work. The finer the soil is, and the more it is aerated, 

 the better will it suit the crop. From the beginning of 

 May till the end of June, at intervals, draw out drills 

 about 2ft. apart, and Sin. deep, and in these place the 

 Beans tolerably thick, as generally they are not all certain 

 to grow. As soon as up, carefully thin them, and slightly 

 earth up to prevent the wind blowing them about. They 



Bean* continued. 



should not, however, be earthed higher than the seed leaves, 

 or they will probably rot off in wet weather. Keep free 

 from weeds, and maintain a sharp look out for slugs. In 

 dry weather 1 , water occasionally, giving good drenchings, 

 and not mere sprinklings, which do more harm than good. 

 A good mulching of half-rotted manure is very beneficial 

 as it prevents evaporation to a great extent, besides afford- 

 ing some amount of nourishment to the plants. Great care 

 must be taken to pick off the Beans as soon as large enough 

 for use, or they will exhaust the plants. Where seeds are 

 needed, a number of plants should be left for the purpose, 

 and these should be some of the best, to prevent deteriora- 

 tion, or loss of the true variety. 



Forcing. French Beans require more heat than can be 

 obtained in either a frame or an ordinary greenhouse ; and, 

 although easy enough to grow in a structure suited to their 

 requirements, yet, if such does not exist, they are almost 

 sure to fail A good heat, from 60deg. to TOdeg., with 

 abundance of moisture, is necessary for successful results. 

 Plenty of light is also most essential. A position such as 

 that of a cucumber house is generally a suitable one ; but 

 the plants must not be placed under the cucumbers. Sue- 

 cessional sowings in pots or boxes must be made, from the 

 end of August till March, to keep up a supply. For soil, 

 use good maiden loam, with a little well-rotted manure 

 added. Use Sin. pots, sowing five or six beans in each. 

 The first sowing should be placed in a frame and kept 

 well watered, bringing into heat in October; but the sub- 

 sequent sowings should be placed directly in the house. 

 Keep the soil moist, and the plants free from aphides 

 and other insect pests, and give air at every favourable 

 opportunity. The plants should be as near the light as 

 possible, and kept from falling about by tying or placing 

 small pieces of Birch wood round them. In dull weather, 

 it will be found that the blossoms will not set so freely as 

 when the sun shines brightly ; therefore, every care should 

 be taken to secure both heat and ventilation when sun- 

 shine prevails. When the pots get full of roots, and the 

 plants are bearing fruit freely, a little liquid manure is of 

 great assistance ; at no time must the plants get dry 

 enough to flag. Allow plenty of room for the full de- 

 velopment of foliage, and maintain a minimum temperature 

 of 60deg., with plenty of moisture. 



Sorts. These are very numerous, among the best being 

 Black Negro, Canadian Wonder, Canterbury, Fnlmer's 

 Forcing, Golden Dun, Newington Wonder, Osborn's Early 

 Forcing, Sion House, and Sir Joseph Paxton. 



RUNNERS OB CLIMBING KIDNEY BEANS (Phateolut 

 multiftorus). Cultivation : Being tall growers, these need 

 a greater space than the Dwarf French varieties, and 

 they also require support. Rich soil is indispensable for 

 them, and liberal supplies of water on light soils and 

 in dry weather. A good overhead syringing from time 

 to time is also advantageous. Trench and heavily manure 

 a piece of ground in autumn, leaving it in ridges for 

 the winter. In March, level the ridges down, and well 

 work the ground, to render it friable and in good con- 

 dition. The plants being extremely tender, it is not safe 

 to sow before the end of April or the first week in May. 

 It is preferable to sow in rows, which should be from 

 6ft. to 12ft. apart, and crop the ground between with 

 other vegetables. Earth up and stake them as soon as 

 ready, to prevent injury from rough wind. A good plan, 

 which may be adopted to obtain early produce, is to 

 raise seedlings in boxes in a cold frame, getting them 

 ready for planting out in the middle of May. Plant at 

 the same distances, and treat afterwards as recommended 

 for those sown out of doors. 



If preferred, they can be grown on the ground without 

 stakes. Under this treatment, they must have their tops 

 pinched off when about ISin. high, continuing this pinch- 

 ing from time to time as necessary. If this plan is 

 adopted, the rows need only be 3ft. apart, the ground 



