136 CALIFORNIA VEGETABLES 



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 retain- 

 ing the maximum amount of the rain that falls. Growth of weeds 

 after harvesting the beans should be prevented by cultivation, be- 

 cause weeds draw upon moisture and would produce seed for more 

 weeds. This cultivation also opens the surface 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 cultivator 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 variation in winter prac- 

 tice, as some plow deeply, some turn a shallow furrow, and some 

 low plowing. In all cases the end in view is the same, to bring the 

 land to planting time with moisture retained and mellow to receive 

 the seed. 



Artificial inoculation of soil for beans is not usually found 

 necessary in California, probably because bacteria are abundant 

 from the previous growth of native legumes. 



Time of Planting. Hints of this consideration have already 

 been given to illustrate other points. As a general conclusion it 

 may be added that California experience clearly points to undesir- 

 ability of early planting simply to keep abreast of the calendar. 

 Most of our commercial beans are of the phaseolus varieties (kid- 

 neys, Limas, etc.), and they are tender and cannot be planted until 

 frosts are over in each locality. The broad beans, especially the 

 Portuguese bean, are more hardy and in some districts grow all 

 winter, except in low, frosty places. 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 advance of a good condi- 

 tion of warmth and moisture in the soil. Rather than trust the seed 

 to soil which is too cold or too wet it is better to wait a little, kill 

 the weeds by shallow working, place the seed deep enough to 

 insure its contact with moisture and then trust to the more rapid 

 growth of the plant to make up for the delay. This it will usually 

 do, and will shoot ahead so that it will be of good size for cultiva- 

 tion by the time the weeds need another cutting. Just the time 

 when the proper soil conditions may be expected to arrive will differ 

 in the different localities, according to local rainfall and spring tem- 

 peratures, the beginning of the frost-free period, the nature of the 

 soil, etc. As a generalization, however, it may be put at May 1 to 

 May 15 on the coast, with a range of May 1 to July 10 for interior 

 lowlands in the central and northern parts of the state chiefly to 

 allow moist lands to come into planting condition, or to defer bloom- 



