PHASEOLUS VULGARIS (FRENCH BEAN) 165 



It is pendent, varies in shape and length, and encloses 

 several seeds separated by the projection of cellular 

 parenchyma. According to the variety the husks remain 

 green or turn yellow on ripening, with the exception of those 

 with violet husks ; the seeds, like the husks, vary consider- 

 ably in colour, shape, and dimensions, and it is these 

 different characters which determine the races. 



With few exceptions nearly all beans thrive well in 

 warm countries, but there are several well acclimatized 

 varieties which give particularly good results. 



A number have been tried in Mauritius, the best acclima- 

 tized being apparently the red bean of Rodrigues Island and 

 the black bean from France. 



As to when it was introduced into Mauritius no informa- 

 tion is forthcoming. Cossigny tells us of beans which were 

 cultivated in the Eastern colonies. We may surmise that 

 this plant was introduced into India from America at some 

 fairly remote period, reaching us as soon as intercourse with 

 these countries became more frequent. 



The Rodrigues bean is a dwarf variety which may be 

 grown the whole year round. At the same time there are 

 chances of its failure during several months of the year, in 

 consequence of the attacks of the fly Agromysa. 



The best season for sowing is March-April, but in 

 districts where the fly occurs it is October to November, at 

 the beginning of the rains. Failing a cyclone, the bean 

 will develop strongly and the yield will be more or less 

 prolific according to the conditions of cultivation. A good 

 manuring will be useful and will ensure a good crop. 



The Rodrigues bean is usually grown to be picked ripe, 

 or eaten without the husk, whilst the black, which is a trail- 

 ing variety, yields pods that may be eaten green. 



This dwarf variety would be particularly well suited to 

 cultivation as an inter-crop with canes. It might be sown 

 in three rows, and the seed crop could be taken three and a 

 half to four months later. 



