GREEN SHELL BEANS 207 



in hills about four feet apart each way, to allow sufficient space for 

 tillage. Four or five seeds are usually planted in each hill. Except 

 for the provision of support and the difference in distance of 

 planting, the culture of pole string beans is the same as for the 

 dwarf type. 



GREEN SHELL BEANS 



Almost any variety of bean may be used when the seeds have 

 attained full size but are still immature. However, there are 

 certain types that are often grown especially for use at this stage 

 of development. The most important of these are the Lima 

 beans. These are of three distinct types, the classification being 

 based primarily upon the size and shape of the seed. In the true 

 large Lima the beans are extremely large when at the right stage 

 of development for use as green shell beans, and this type is the 

 one most in demand on the market. This large type of Lima is 

 more difficult to grow and is a more uncertain crop than the small- 

 seeded Sieva or Carolina Lima. The latter type will stand greater 

 extremes of temperature. If the ground should become cold and 

 wet immediately following planting, seeds of the Sieva type are 

 much less likely to rot than those of the large Lima; and in hot 

 weather the Sieva Limas will continue to set pods and produce a 

 crop, while under the same conditions the blossoms of the large 

 Limas may all become blasted. The large Limas also demand a 

 richer soil than the Sieva type. In short, the Sieva Limas are a 

 vegetable that almost any one can grow successfully, while the 

 large Limas demand special care and even then sometimes fail. 



A type of Lima beans that produces seeds somewhat intermedi- 

 ate in size between the large- and the small-seeded sorts, is known 

 as the potato Lima, from the shape of the seeds, which are short 

 and thick. 



Until less than thirty years ago Lima beans were known only 

 in the pole or running form. Now, all three types are represented 

 in bush form also. The pole varieties are usually more productive 

 than the bush sorts, and are still extensively grown in spite of the 

 inconvenience and expense of providing them mth supports. 



Temperature Requirements. — In general, Lima beans require 

 higher temperature and richer soil than string beans. Under 

 normal seasonal conditions it is unwise to plant Limas until nearly 

 two weeks after it is perfectly safe to make the earliest planting of 

 the string beans. For the sake of securing an earlier crop, Lima 



