OTHER HOT-SEASON ANNUAL LEGUMES 555 



entirely for human food, and as a producer of seed it excels 

 any other bean adapted to the region in which it will 

 grow, excepting the soybean. On account of its heavy 

 yield of seed it is likely to become of some impor- 

 tance in the United States, either for human food or 

 for growing to feed animals. The plants are smaller 

 than cowpeas or soybeans, so the yield of herbage is 

 but moderate. 



The adzuki bean does not compete satisfactorily with 

 weeds and therefore must be planted in cultivated rows 

 which may be from 18 inches to 3 feet apart, depending 

 on the variety and the method of cultivation. The earli- 

 est varieties mature in about 90 days, while the latest 

 varieties require 140 days. 



672. Bonavist or hyacinth bean (Dolichos lablab). 

 This bean is probably a native of Africa, but has been 

 cultivated since ancient, perhaps prehistoric, times in 

 southern Asia, as well as in Africa. The ripe seeds, as well 

 as the green pods, are used for human food. 



The bonavist is an annual except in the tropics, where 

 it may persist two years or more. In a general way it 

 resembles the cowpea, but the stems are harder, and the 

 plant more viny, but when supported, often grows to a 

 height of 20 to 25 feet. The flowers are sweet scented 

 and borne in panicles, 4 to 18 inches long ; the much- 

 compressed pods are shaped like a broad scimitar and 

 the seeds have a conspicuous white caruncle extending 

 one-third of their circumference. 



The varieties are numerous, at least 30, and differ in 

 earliness ; color of foliage, green or purple ; color of flowers, 

 white, pink or purple ; size, shape and color of the pods 

 and seeds, the latter being white, reddish, black or 

 speckled. The varieties with purple foliage are often 



