DWARF BEAN 17 



DWARF BEAN 



(Phaseolus vulgaris) 



AMONGST our summer vegetables Kidney Beans are deservedly in 

 high favour, and are everywhere sown at the earliest moment consis- 

 tent with reasonable expectations of their safety. This early sowing is 

 altogether laudable, for although it occasionally entails the loss of a 

 plantation, the aggregate result is advantageous, and a very little 

 protection suffices to carry the early plant through the late spring 

 frosts. But those who supply our tables with green delicacies do 

 not sufficiently recognise the importance of late sowings of Kidney 

 Beans. Here, again, a risk must be encountered, but the cost is 

 trifling, and when the summer is prolonged to October the late-sown 

 Beans are highly prized. Even if they produce plentifully through 

 September there is a great point gained, but that cannot be secured 

 from the earliest sowings ; it is impossible. After July, or at latest 

 the first week in August, it is useless to sow Beans, but where there 

 is a constant demand for these delicious vegetables, two or three 

 sowings of both Dwarfs and Runners may be made in the course of 

 the month of July, and should have the most sheltered nooks that 

 can be found for them. For the late sowings the earliest sorts 

 should have preference. 



Kidney Beans for the main crop require a good though somewhat 

 light soil ; but any fairly productive loam will answer the purpose, and 

 the crop will make an ample return for such reasonable digging and 

 dressing as a careful cultivator will not fail to bestow. At the same 

 time it is a matter of some practical importance that the poorest land 

 ever put under tillage will, in an average season, yield serviceable 

 crops of these legumes, and on a rich soil of some depth the Kidney 

 Bean will endure summer drought better than any crop proper to the 

 kitchen garden. Among the numerous varieties in cultivation there 

 need be but little difficulty in making a selection. Earliness of pro- 

 duction is of the highest importance up to a certain point ; but an 

 early crop being provided for, abundance of production next claims 

 consideration, the heaviest bearers being of course best adapted for 

 main-crop sowing. As regards the sowing and general manage- 

 ment, we feel bound to remark that Dwarf Kidney Beans are usu- 

 ally crowded injuriously, even in generally well-managed gardens. 



c 



