BEANS 77 



dozen seeds to a hill, sowing far enough apart 

 to let in the sunshine and to allow for full devel- 

 opment of ea'ch plant. Plenty of light and sun- 

 shine among the plants is a good prevention of 

 "rust." Arrange the hills alternately, in parallel 

 rows. The result is very attractive when the big 

 clumps of healthy plants begin growing ; and this 

 arrangement of growth brings about the best re- 

 sults in fruitage. A succession of bush beans may 

 be grown. Plant a few every fortnight. When 

 growing climbing beans, use the same big hills, 

 and follow the same arrangement, only set the 

 pole first and then plant the beans around the pole. 

 For limas, follow the same plan as for snap pole 

 beans, in the main. The lima hills should be far- 

 ther apart, 4 feet being a good distance. With 

 these big beans, special care is needed in placing 

 them at an even distance around the pole and in 

 setting them stem side down. These beans are 

 very liable to rust and decay and are most deli- 

 cate. For that reason, germination should be 

 aided as much as possible. Sometimes, when the 

 soil is heavy and hard, the tender seedlings are in- 

 jured in attempting to break through the soil 

 cover, especially when the beans are planted up- 

 side down. Their effort to turn over and release 

 the cotyledons and reach the air breaks the 

 tender seed-leaves often and, sometimes, the stem 

 itself. Therefore, set the seeds with stem side 

 down and cover lightly. Limas are especially 



