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BEANS 



by dwarf and running varieties. The dwarf kinds are also called 

 bush or bunch beans because of the compact form and low stature 

 of the plant (Fig. 125). These require no artificial support. The 

 running varieties are also called pole beans, because they require 

 artificial support and poles are commonly used for this purpose. 

 The dwarf or bush varieties of string beans are much more exten- 

 sively grown than the pole sorts, because they are less bother and 

 usually produce an earlier crop. However, the pole sorts are more 

 productive and continue in bearing for a longer period. 



Planting. — String beans are usually planted as soon as danger 

 of frost is over, and later plantings may be made at intervals of 

 two to four weeks for the sake of securing a succession. Plantings 



Fig. 125. — The bush type of string beans. 



may be made until July 15, in central latitudes, and the crop will 

 normally be harvested before danger of autumn frosts. Farther 

 south, even later plantings may be made. The seeds are planted 

 either in drills or hills. If the former method is employed the seeds 

 are dropped at intervals of three or four inches. When planted in 

 hills, three to five seeds are placed in each hill, and the hills are 

 from one to two feet apart in the row. In either case, the rows 

 are from twenty to thirty inches apart, the latter distance being 

 preferable if horse tillage is to be employed. 



Dwarf string beans are among the easiest crops to grow, and 

 do not require any special treatment other than good tillage. The 

 pole varieties; of course, require support. They are usually planted 



