XII 

 BEANS 



We need to know beans as seed first in order 

 to succeed in growing them. A good plan is 

 to grow your own seed. In that case, choose the 

 earliest, largest, healthiest, cleanest looking speci- 

 mens to provide the seed. Leave a group of sturdy 

 plants for that purpose. Give them a little extra 

 care in the way of cultivation. Feed them more 

 phosphorus and potash. Do not disturb them by 

 picking any of the fruit. That in itself will serve 

 as a protection from disease. Now, from these 

 special plants, when the beans are thoroughly 

 ripened, select the pods that are free from disease, 

 the troublesome rust, anthracnose. Next, when 

 shelling, sort out and save only the fully developed, 

 plump, biggest beans. Only completely ripened 

 seeds will be productive, only plump seeds will 

 have enough food stored in the cotyledons, the 

 food-leaves, to make sure of a vigorous start. 

 Finally these precious sureties of another harvest 

 must be stored in a cool dry place. 



All kinds of beans may be expected to mature 

 early enough to provide seed, except the limas. 

 For these, in central New York climate, we may 



73 



