128 THE VEGETABLE CULTIVATOR. 



taken up for consumption during the winter, and 

 preserved in sand or light soil out of the reach of 

 frost. 



In the cultivation of this vegetable, the author 

 has to observe that a light soil should be chosen in 

 preference to a strong rich one ; such may probably 

 have an influence on the root in respect of mois- 

 ture, as it has on the potato. 



27. KIDNEY BE AN. PHASEOLUS. 



The botanic term Phaseolus is supposed to allude 

 to the shape of the seed-vessel, which resembles a 

 kind of small boat, known under the same denomi- 

 nation. The English name kidney-bean was given 

 on account of the seed being of a kidney shape ; it 

 is also erroneously called French bean, from its 

 being a long time cultivated in that country, and 

 introduced under that name to its neighbours. The 

 native place of the kidney-bean is the most southerly 

 part of Europe. 



It is supposed by some writers that kidney-beans 

 were first introduced into this country from the 

 Netherlands, about the year 1509, when gardening 

 first began to flourish and to obtain attention ; for 

 even at that time it was more progressive in im- 

 provement than could have been expected, con- 

 sidering the want of learning which then prevailed, 

 even amongst the higher classes. 



The use of the kidney-bean is too well known to 

 require to be described here. Gerard mentions, even 

 in his time, that it was considered pleasant and de- 



