CULTURAL METHODS 75 



subject of thick or thin planting the Kentucky exper- 

 iment station found* Improved Valentines and 

 Golden Wax varieties gave largest yields when iy2 

 ounces seed were used to every 12 feet in the row. 

 The report indicates, however, that in order to pro- 

 vide against some of the seeds not germinating, it is 

 better as a rule to use a slightly larger proportion of 

 seed. Professor Jordan** after trying out 72 va- 

 rieties and plantings of i quart seed to 810, 405, 270, 

 203 and 162 feet of drill, concludes that i quart of 

 seed in 162 feet gave the best results. There was a 

 tendency in the thicker planting towards smaller 

 pods. The vines were more spindling and develop- 

 ment was more or less reduced. 



So far as the commercial grower is concerned it 

 seems to me Professor Stone sums up the whole 

 matter very well when he says, "The amount of seed 

 required to the acre varies with the variety. Of 

 the small beans (marrow and Boston small pea; 

 many growers plant Yi. bushel to the acre, though 

 some claim better results with 3 pecks or even i 

 bushel. Five or even 6 pecks to the acre of kidney 

 beans are recommended and intermediate amounts of 

 the other varieties according to size. It is evident 

 that with seed of strong germinating power and soil 

 in fine condition, a smaller amount of seed is required 

 to procure the proper stand than in the case of 

 poorer seed and less favorable conditions. The 

 grower must bear in mind that beans are gross feeders 

 and when 13^ to i^ bushels are planted to the acre, 

 the plants consume the fertilizer readily available, 

 before the pods are fully set and there is, therefore, 

 little feed left for the maturing seed. 



•Bui 54. "N J Sta Rpt, 1898. 



