PEAS AND BEANS 381 



is still largely followed. But for purposes of decoration I should 

 like to commend another plan. It is to sow a few beans inter- 

 mittently along the mixed border. They can be sown in clumps 

 of five or six seeds, and the plants can then be trained to sticks 

 arranged in circular or other artistic designs. 



But whatever be the manner in which it be grown, whether for 

 decorative or crop-producing purposes, the runner bean must be 

 supplied with a rich soil medium if it is to thrive. Deep digging 

 and forking are essential. Some time before the seed is sown a 

 quantity of well-seasoned farmyard manure should have been 

 incorporated with the soil. 



The beans should be sown about three inches deep. If it be 

 intended to grow the runners hi rows it is a good plan to adopt 

 the double drill system as being economical in that it gives a 

 large return for the space occupied. The drills are drawn three 

 inches deep and about nine inches apart, a space of two and a half 

 feet being allowed between the pairs of drills. The seed may be 

 placed in the drill three or four inches apart, and be thinned out 

 ultimately to nine inches. This can be done in such a way that 

 the young plants stand alternately in adjoining drills and not 

 opposite each other. Where the single drill method is followed 

 the rows should be not less than two feet asunder, a similar 

 thinning out to nine inches apart being adopted in this case 

 also. 



In ten days or a fortnight the seedlings will appear through the 

 ground, and then the grower must keep a sharp look-out for slugs. 

 If they are at all troublesome they can be kept in check by dusting 

 the rows lightly with lime and soot. 



Towards the end of May or the beginning of June it will be 

 necessary to put in the stakes. These should never be less than 

 seven feet in length, and where the rows are likely to be exposed 

 to boisterous winds care must be taken to see that the stakes are 

 strongly and firmly fixed hi the ground. 



Among the best varieties of the scarlet runner bean are Giant 

 Scarlet, Ne Plus Ultra, Invicta and Al. Painted Lady is a 

 distinct type in which the flowers are partly white and partly 



