136 THE VEGETABLE CULTIVATOR. 



up on each side, and when it is observed they begin 

 to form runners, tall, strong bushy sticks should be 

 placed (not too close) firmly on each side. They 

 will afterwards give but little trouble, except in 

 keeping the ground clear of weeds, and gathering 

 the pulse for use. When a crop of these beans is 

 required to continue for a length of time in a bear- 

 ing state, the fewer beans left on for seed the better ; 

 these checking their produce for the table. The 

 other sorts do not require such bushy sticks as for 

 the scarlet, though quite as tall or taller ; a single 

 pole or twine would do for the Azonian bean, and 

 when once they catch their support, they will after- 

 wards guide and support themselves. When the 

 growth of the scarlet runners is checked by the 

 autumn frosts, the haulm may be cleared away, and, 

 if some dry litter is spread over the roots as a pro- 

 tection from any severe weather, they will grow, and 

 produce an early and abundant crop the following 

 summer ; they can also be taken up on the approach 

 of frost, and preserved through the winter in some 

 dry mould, and replanted again in April. This 

 method of preserving the old roots may be had re- 

 course to in any contingency, but the present prac- 

 tice of sowing fresh seed every spring is preferable, 

 and attended with a greater certainty of success. 



ARTIFICIAL CULTURE. 



In the whole line of the artificial forcing of vege- 

 tables for culinary purposes, few come to hand with 

 less labour or with greater facility than the kidney 

 bean, whether raised in frames, pits, or in a pine 

 stove ; which last is the principal mode of culture 



