BfeAN. 193 



tions of the South, the growing of string-beans is a 

 lucrative class of gardening. All beans are tender 

 and sensitive to cold, even when it is not severe 

 enough to freeze. Only those portions of the South 

 that are free from frosts and long cold spells can grow 

 them for midwinter market ; in other portions, late fall 

 and early spring crops pay well. 



VARIETIES. 



One of the earliest and most hardy is the Mohawk. 

 A little later, but probably more prolific variety, is 

 the Valentine. A variety fine for table use, and one 

 good for marketing, is the Golden Wax (see Fig. 30). 

 It has one drawback, which will be overcome in time, 

 and that is that the seed is expensive. 



The green podded varieties are more popular among 

 gardeners because of a general belief that they are 

 hardier than the yellow podded ones. There is less 

 danger of getting poor varieties in beans than in many 

 other vegetables. 



SOIL. 



For early winter crop a light sandy soil is most val- 

 uable, while for a fall crop a heavier soil may be used 

 to advantage. The land should be prepared moder- 

 ately deep, and need not be in a high state of tilth. 

 Any decaying vegetable matter that happens to be on 

 the field may.be left there. 



FERTILIZER FORMULA. 



Available phosphoric acid .... 7 per cent. 



Potash 7 per cent. 



Nitrogen 3 per cent. 



On poor land use 1000 to 1500 pounds of the above 

 formula per acre. If the land is rich in vegetable 

 matter, the nitrogen may be omitted. While beans 

 9 



