CULTURAL METHODS 73 



Even if the beans do finally germinate and come up, 

 they will manifest a reluctant growth through the 

 season, much like the stunted animal. There is still 

 another reason why beans should not be planted too 

 early. They are very tender plants, and a slight 

 frost will level them to the ground. If one will wait 

 until the soil is warm the majority of these difficul- 

 ties will be avoided. While visiting one of the larg- 

 est growers in New York I was told the time to plant is 

 June 5. "Plant then," said my host, "and nature will 

 always be with you." This grower lives in latitude 

 42 degrees, 30 minutes north; his soil is a rich, black 

 loam. He never fails to obtain a large and favorable 

 crop. Prof. J. L. Stone,* recommends that the kidney 

 and Black Turtle Soup varieties be planted during 

 the last half of May. According to the same author- 

 ity, the pea varieties should be planted June 5 to 

 June 20, while the marrows and yellow eyes come 

 intermediately. In the latitude of 43 degrees in 

 Michigan the small navy beans are planted about 

 June 10 with excellent results. 



Hills or rows. — In general, results favor planting 

 beans in drills rather than hills. Prof. L. C. Corbett** 

 planted 2 pounds of seed in drills and harvested 140 

 pounds of beans. The same quantity of seed was 

 planted in hills and but 50 pounds were obtained at 

 harvest. In experiments at the South Dakota sta- 

 tion*** tests on both a small and a commercial scale 

 were made of planting beans in hills and sowing in 

 drills. Planting in drills gave best results in both 

 cases and this method is recommended. 



*N Y Cornell Sta, Bui 210. ~W Va Sta, Bui 49, pp 467-507. ""Bui 

 47, pp 42-46. 



