192 CALIFORNIA VEGETABLES. 



this regard, very good garden crops are grown even in 

 adobe soil, but the commercial bean crops are grown on 

 light soils because there are obvious cultural advantages 

 in dealing with such soils. 



Preparation of Land for Beans, As our chief crops of 

 beans are grown without irrigation on light soils, in 

 regions of moderate rainfall, the preparation of the soil 

 should begin at the opening of the rainy season, so as to 

 prepare the land for receiving and retaining the maxi- 

 mum amount of the rain that falls. Growth of weeds after 

 harvesting the beans should be prevented by cultivation, 

 because weeds draw upon moisture and would produce 

 seed for more weeds. This cultivation also opens the sur- 

 face to absorb the early rains. When the soil is well 

 moistened by rain, usually not later than January, a good 

 plowing is given, and after that the chisel-toothed culti- 

 vator and the harrow or other tool fitted to break up all 

 compacting of the soil at or below the surface, are used at 

 short intervals through the winter to prevent evaporation, 

 and retain moisture near the surface. There is some varia- 

 tion in winter practice, as some plow deeply, some turn a 

 shallow furrow, and some rely wholly upon the chisel 

 cultivator, which works as deep as shallow plowing. In 

 all cases the end in view is the same, to bring the land to 

 planting time with moisture retained and mellow to re- 

 ceive the seed. 



Time of Planting. Hints of this consideration have al- 

 ready been given to illustrate other points. As a general 

 conclusion it may be added that California experience 

 clearly points to undesirability of early planting simply 

 to keep abreast of the calendar. The bush beans are 

 hardier than the climbers and can be safely planted earlier, 

 but there is nothing to be gained in planting either in ad- 

 vance of a good condition of warmth and moisture in the 

 soil. Rather than trust the seed to the soil which is too 

 cold or too wet, it is better to wait a little, kill the weeds 

 by a shallow working, place the seed deep enough to in- 

 sure its contact with moisture and then trust to the more 



