XII 



LEGUMES FOR SEED 



260. Kinds. The most extensively grown legumes for their 

 seed are the common, kidney or haricot bean (Phaseolus vul- 

 garis L.), the common pea (Pisum sativum L.), and the peanut 

 (Arachis hypogaea L.). In addition to these the cowpea 

 (Vigna cat jang Walp.) and the soy bean (Glycine hispida 

 Maxim.), although more extensively cultivated for their for- 

 age, are also cultivated for their seeds for human consumption, 

 although more largely for domestic animals. The broad or 

 horse bean (Vicia faba L.) common in England and well known 

 to ancient agriculture, is sparingly raised in Canada for its 

 seeds and forage for domestic animals. The hot summers of 

 most portions of the United States are not suited to its growth. 

 Others grown in gardens for human consumption, but rarely 

 raised under field conditions, are lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus 

 L.), Spanish bean or scarlet runner (P. multiflorus Willd.), 

 black bean (Dolichos labab L.), and two varieties, Yard Long 

 and Cuban sometimes called Cuban asparagus or simply aspar- 

 agus bean (D. sesquipedalis L.). All legumes cultivated for 

 their seeds are annuals. 



I. FIELD BEANS 



261. Relationships. The plants of five genera, Phaseolus, 

 Dolichos, Glycine, Vicia and Vigna, and occasionally some 

 others, are regarded as beans, or at least have some species 

 that are so regarded. While it is a common expression that 

 one does not know much if one does not know beans, it is 

 difficult to state any characters that are common to all beans. 



219 



