BEANS 75 



if gathered before the seed begins to form. For 

 all snap beans, the bush varieties are just as 

 good, even better than the pole sorts. Beans grow- 

 ing on the poles add to the attractiveness of the 

 garden, however. For a pole bean, the Old Home- 

 stead and the Speckled Cranberry are excellent. 

 The Old Homestead is the most popular green 

 snap bean. The Speckled Cranberry is especially 

 good as shell beans, like the limas. They are a 

 deep brown in color and have a rich flavor. 



In planting beans, we need to have the soil in 

 proper condition and to know the right time and 

 the best method for putting in the seeds. Only 

 a word is necessary with reference to the soil; 

 that which has been prepared properly for gen- 

 eral garden use is right for beans. Give the bean 

 strip careful cultivation just before planting. 

 The time is important. Beans are tender and can- 

 not withstand the frost. For that reason, they 

 usually should not be put in until danger from 

 frost is over. The seeds decay quickly, when the 

 soil is cold and wet. So do not plant until the 

 ground is warm and dry, or just moist. A few 

 bush snap beans may be risked earlier, if they 

 are warmed by means of a heat-producing stimu- 

 lant placed under the hills and protected by some 

 covering like melon boxes. If an untimely frost 

 threatens when the seedlings are just starting, a 

 cover of soil may be hoed over them. The frost 

 limit varies so much and settled weather is so 



