402 On the Cultivation of Lima Beans. 



The method which we have adopted to procure a crop, we 

 have, therefore, thought might be of some interest to our read- 

 ers; and though, we beheve, not a new system, one which we 

 have found to succeed so well, that, at the present time, we have 

 an abundant supply, and the vines partially destroyed by the un- 

 commonly early frosts. 



About the 20th of May, after three successive failures in the 

 open ground, we procured a number of sods, which were placed 

 in a spent hot-bed: the sashes were kept covered close for a day, 

 to give additional warmth, when the beans were planted all over 

 the surface of the sods; a little common soil of the garden was 

 then sifted over them, through a coarse sieve, and the sashes again 

 closed. At night a few mats were thrown over the hghts, to 

 prevent the escape of what little heat there was in the bed. A 

 little water was applied the second or third day after planting, 

 which was repeated once or twice before the plants were up. 

 As soon as they had made two rough leaves, preparations were 

 made to transplant them into the rows where they were to grow 

 throughout the summer. The soil was enriched with some well 

 decayed manure, and the stakes placed in the rows, to prevent 

 disturbing the plants after they were set out. The sods were 

 taken out of the bed very carefully, and with a sharp spade sep- 

 arated in such a manner as to leave a portion of the turf or sod 

 attached to the roots of the plants: in this manner they were set 

 out in the rows, placing them in the soil so deep that the cotyle- 

 dons, or seed leaves, were just above,. the level of the surface: 

 after this they received no more than ordinary attention, and soon 

 began to make a good growth: probably, if dry weather should 

 ensue immediately after transplanting, the plants would need 

 watering once or twice; but cold and unfavorable to vegetation 

 as was the last spring, watering would not only be injurious, but 

 might prove fatal to their future success. 



Peas have repeatedly been forced, or brought forward in this 

 manner, though we do not recollect of ever noticing any account 

 in which the bean was attempted; but they bear transplanting as 

 well as peas, and a good crop can with certainty be relied upon. 

 It is unnecessary for us to say any thing farther to induce lovers 

 of this vegetable to give the experiment a trial. To market gar- 

 deners it is important, as it will enable them to supply them in 

 quantities; and the high price they bring will pay them well for 

 their labor. 



One thing will be observed, that our seeds were sown about 

 the 20th of May, after repeated failures to vegetate others in the 

 open ground; if, however, no attempt had been made to raise 

 them only in the hot-bed, and the seeds had been planted a fort- 

 night sooner, pods large enough for shelling could have been ob- 

 tained by the first of September. 



