BEANS. 



BEANS. 



inches high, ranging east and west ; on the 

 south side of each ridge draw a drill half- 

 way between the top and the bottom, in 

 which sow the beans about three inches 

 apart ; by this means they will be above 

 the wet, catch every ray of sunshine, and 

 will be stronger than if raised under glass 

 and planted out. When about 10 inches 

 high, level the top of each ridge to the row 

 of beans behind it : they will not require 

 earthing up again. If sown in October, a 

 succession may be sown in January, in the 

 same manner ; and so on once a month 

 till June ; they do not bear well if sown 

 after that. Those sown on level ground 

 should have some earth drawn up to the 

 roots when 3 or 4 inches high ; this induces 

 them to emit fresh roots. They are sown 

 in rows about 4 feet apart, which leaves 

 room for a row of broccoli, spinach, or 

 lettuce between ; but those who are not 

 limited as to space had better allow 5 or 6 

 feet from row to row. On light soils the 

 usual method is to stretch a line along 

 where they have to be sown, and dib holes 

 4 inches deep, planting a row each side of 

 the line, 4 inches apart, zigzag fashion ; 

 but in wet soils it is better to drill them in, 

 laying boards along the row to stand on, so 

 as to avoid clodding the ground by treading 

 on it. The sort usually grown for first crop 

 is the Early Mazagan ; but the Early Long- 

 pod is equally early and prolific, and larger ; 

 so are the Seville and Giant Long-pod, for 

 maincrop. The Broad Windsor Bean is 

 a well-known and good old variety. 

 Whatever sort is grown, the culture is 

 the same ; but as beans are not a 

 favourite vegetable with many persons, 

 it should be carefully considered how 

 much ground can be devoted to it without 

 encroaching upon the space required for 

 more important crops. A crop which is 

 not required involves a loss of time, space, 

 and nourishment withdrawn from the soil. 

 For varieties qf aU Iqnds of b.ea,n.s tfee 



reader should consult the catalogues (A 

 the growers. New varieties are being 

 frequently introduced ; so it is better to 

 tell those who consult this volume where 

 to look for sorts than to take up space by 

 inserting them here. 



Beans, French or Kidney. 



These beans, which are sometimes distin- 

 guished as haricot beans, require a light, 

 rich, loamy soil, and should be planted in 

 an open situation. In out-door culture the 

 seed should not be sown until the middle of 

 April in sunny spots, or in the beginning 

 of May in positions not so open to the sun, 

 and from this time crops may be sown in 

 succession once a fortnight, or thereabouts, 

 until the end of July. Plant in rows from 

 1 8 inches to 2 feet apart, and from 9 to 



FRENCH BEAN, "CANADIAN WONDER.** 



12 inches apart in the rows. Put at least 

 three seeds in each patch, lest any should 

 fail ; if all grow, two can be removed ; if 

 none grow, the deficiency must be supplied 

 by transplanting from a patch sown for the 

 purpose. It is better, however, to sow 

 more plentifully than to transplant, as this 

 operation tends to check the plants. The 

 seed should be dibbled in to the depth of 

 an inch. As the beans grow, draw the soil 

 up round each plant as high as possible. 



Beans, French or Kidney, 

 Forced. 



When forced, kidney beans may be had 



