BROAD BEAN 15 



in an especial manner on a deep sandy loam. Considering the 

 usually productive nature of the plant and its comparatively brief 

 occupation of the ground, the common Bean must be regarded as 

 one of our most profitable garden crops. Within recent years 

 changes in fashion have taken place in the cultivation of Beans. It 

 is freely alleged that the Mazagan class are no earlier than the Long- 

 pods, and as the latter are admitted to be more productive, no good 

 purpose is served in continuing to grow the former. There is just 

 sufficient truth in the idea to mislead the unwary ; but it is not 

 the whole truth, and the good old doctrine of wisdom in many 

 counsellors is illustrated by the fact that Mazagans are still largely 

 grown because of their peculiar suitability for certain purposes. 

 There are no varieties so much valued by those who dry or tin green 

 Beans for soups, as the Mazagans ; and as regards quality they are 

 deservedly prized on good tables. But for rough work the Longpods 

 are invaluable ; they are nearly but not quite as early as the Mazagans, 

 thoroughly hardy, produce heavy crops, and in appearance and 

 flavour satisfy the world at large, as may be proved by appeal to the 

 markets. For epicures and others who are fastidious in respect of 

 quality, there is the section of Windsor Beans large, tender, full 

 of flavour, and, when well managed, as green as grass when put upon 

 the table. The cultivation is so simple in its whole routine that we 

 are bound to direct attention first to the varieties, and it will be seen 

 that all have their uses. The least in request is the Dwarf Cluster, 

 but even this is serviceable at times for a crop needing the smallest 

 amount of trouble on newly broken ground, or as a stolen crop 

 where there is space for it awhile, the growth rarely exceeding four- 

 teen inches. 



For the first crop of early Beans, Mazagan is the most manage- 

 able, and sowings may be made in November of this or of Prolific 

 Longpod on a dry soil in a warm situation, sheltered from the north. 

 The distance must depend upon the sorts, but two feet will answer 

 generally as the distance between the double rows, and the two lines 

 forming the double rows may be four inches apart, and the seed two 

 inches deep. On strong ground a distance of three feet may be 

 allowed between the double rows, but it is not well to give over much 

 space, because the plants protect each other somewhat, and earliness 

 of production is the matter of chief moment. It is good practice to 

 prepare a nice piece of ground sloping to the south, and on this 

 to make a plantation in February of plants carefully lifted from the 

 seed rows, wherever they can be spared as proper thinnings. These 



