Of the Culture of Crops while growing. 349 



and has already been pretty extensively practised. The 

 operation is performed by means of a sharp-edged instru- 

 ment or knife, 12 or 14 inches long, exclusive of the han- 

 dle ; but it may be done by a sickle or reaping-hook, or a 

 pair of light two-handed scissors, resembling those used in 

 dressing hedges. The expense is stated at 3s. per acre, and 

 may be contracted for at that rate. At a certain stage of 

 its growth, the head of the bean-stalk, does not seem essen- 

 tial for the purposes of vegetation, but tends by its luxuriance, 

 to exhaust the strength of the plant. The proper time to 

 cut off the top is, when the first blossoms begin to drop ; if 

 done sooner, a fresh shoot will be put forth. As soon as the 

 tops are cut off, the pods rapidly increase in size, and the 

 period of ripening is accelerated. The timely removal of 

 those parts where the insects chiefly lodge, materially con- 

 tributes to the health and vigour of the plant, and probably 

 increases the weight of the crop. The harvest is by this 

 means also advanced at least a fortnight ( 1?I ). In the ordinary 

 mode of managing a bean crop, the tops are green when 

 reaped, consequently they absorb and retain moisture, and 

 require a considerable exposure in the field, to prepare them 

 for the stack ; whereas, without their tops, the crop is 

 sooner in a condition to be carried, and less risk is incur- 

 red, from the effects of frost and wet seasons. The tops 

 are left to rot upon the ground. The loss of some fodder 

 and the trifling expense, are the only objections that can be 

 urged against the practice. It is peculiarly calculated for 

 the drill system, all the plants not being otherwise acces- 

 sible ; and it furnishes an additional reason, in support of 

 that superior mode of culture for pulse crops. 



In the General Report of Scotland ( 1?a ), in which this 

 process is briefly noticed, an old scythe-blade, set in a 

 wooden handle, is recommended ; and the expense is only 

 estimated at about one shilling per acre ; but even a much 

 greater expense is not to be put in competition with the ad- 

 vantage of having the crop ready for the sickle, a fortnight 

 earlier, and perhaps an additional week gained in the drying 

 of the sheaves. Where reaping-hooks are in use, this ope- 

 ration may be easily and accurately performed by that im- 

 plement. 



The other improvements to be afterwards detailed, in the 

 reaping and the harvesting of beans, in addition to their 

 being drilled, have brought the culture of that plant to such 

 perfection, as to render it a much more advantageous pre- 

 paration for wheat, than it has hitherto been considered. 



