622 



PRACTICE OF GARDENING. 



PART III. 



are in great estimation throughout the year ; being produced by forcing when they can- 

 not be grown in the natural ground. They are also used as a pickle. On the continent, 

 the ripe seeds are much used in cookery ; forming what are called haricots, of different 

 kinds, and entering into some sorts of soups. In the end of the season, when frost is 

 expected, the haulm of the kidneybean crop is gathered and dried like that of the pea in 

 this country, and the ripe beans afterwards threshed out, and preserved for use through 

 the winter. 



3631. Varieties of the dwarf species : 



Early yellow dwarf / Early white I Black-speckled 



Early red-speckled Battersea white Brown-speckled 



Early black, or negro | Canterbury white | Dun-colored 



3632. Varieties of the ncnner or climbing species: 



Streaked, or striped 



Tawny 



Large white dwarf. 



Scarlet runner ; the most plentiful and 

 lasting bearer, preferable for the main 

 crop of runner 



Large white runner ; a variety of the 

 scarlet. The seed and blossom white, 



but the pods similar to the scarlet 

 kind 



White Dutch runner ; bears very long 

 smooth pods, but does not continue 

 so long in flower as the two former 



Canterbury and Battersea small wl 



runner 

 Variable runner. 



3633. Constitution and habits. Both the above classes of kidneybeans, dwarfs, and runners, are tender 

 in their nature, unable to grow freely in the open garden before April or May ; the seed being liable to 

 rot in the ground from the effects of wet, if planted before the beginning of the former month, even rn a 

 dry soil. The plants are also affected by sharp cold, and make but little progress till settled warm wea- 

 ther. However, when sown in the proper season, from April or May through the course of summer, 

 till the beginning of August, they succeed well, making liberal returns of fruit from June or July till 

 October. The dwarfs require no support ; but the runners, ascending eight or ten feet high or more, 

 require tall sticks or poles to climb upon, or lines suspended from a contiguous building or fence. They 

 produce pods their whole length. It deserves notice, that in their voluble habit of growth, the tendrifs 

 turn to the right, or in a direction contrary to the apparent diurnal course of the sun : this aberration 

 from the common habits of plants has been accounted for by supposing that the native climate of the 

 fcarlet runner will be found to lie south of the equator, and that the plant, although removed to the 

 northern hemisphere, is still obedient to the course originally assigned to it, turning in a direction which, 

 in its native climate, would be towards the sun. (Abercrombie.} 



3634. Estimate of sorts. The dwarfs bear sowing a little sooner, and make returns quicker than the run- 

 ners. They are, besides, more convenient to cultivate on a large scale; and the smaller pods which they 

 produce, are esteemed by many to have more delicacy of flavor. On these accounts, it is usual to raise the 

 larger supply from the dwarf species. The early yellow, early black, and early red-speckled, are among 

 the most hardy and most forward ; the early white comes in a few days later, but is cf superior flavor. The 

 Canterbury, Battersea, black-speckled, brown-speckled, dun-colored, striped, and tawny, are plentiful 

 lasting bearers. Growers for sale, in general, depend on the Canterbury and Battersea for main crops ; but 

 the others just named are also profitable sorts, and acceptable to the consumer. The dwarf kidneybean 

 continues to produce young pods in abundance, and in perfection only about three weeks or a month. The 

 runners yield a succession of fruit from the same sowing a much longer time than the dwarfs. The scarlet 

 runner ranks first for its prolific property and long continuance in fruit ; the pods are thick, fleshy, tender, 

 and good, if gathered while moderately young. The white variety is equally eligible for a principal crop. 

 The Dutch runner grows as luxuriantly as hops, and is also a great bearer, in fine long pods, but not so 

 lasting as the former. As to the smaller runner kinds : these are rather degenerate varieties of the Can- 

 terbury and Battersea white dwarfs ; casually shooting into runners : they bear, in tolerable abundance, 

 slender neat pods, which are very good and tender eating ; though not so eligible for a principal crop of 

 runners as the scarlets. 



3635. Quantity of seed. Half a pint will sow a row eighty feet in length, the beans being placed from two 

 and a half to three inches apart. 



3636. Soil. The soil for both species should be light and mellow, inclining to a dry sand for the early 

 sowings, and to a moist loam for the sowings in summer. 



3637. Separate culture of dwarfs. About the beginning of April, if the weather be temperate, fair, and 

 settled, make the first sowing, or in a dry south border, or other sheltered compartment with a good aspect, 

 or sow in a single row close under a south fence ; beginning with a small proportion of the most hardy early 

 sorts. It is a good method to follow in a week with a second sowing in case the former should fail. You 

 may sow for a larger crop about the middle, or twentieth of April. For the early crops, make the drills two 

 feet asunder. The common depth is an inch and a half for the smaller-sized beans. Drop the beans in 

 each row at this season pretty close together, as many may fail ; from one to two inches apart. Cover them 

 in evenly the full depth of the drill. For the main crops, you may sow more fully towards the end of April ; 

 and in full crops in May and June ; a portion once every fortnight or three weeks, of the Canterbury and 

 other sorts, approved for a main supply. Draw drills, two feet or two and a half asunder, an inch and a 

 half or two inches deep. Drop the beans therein, three inches apart, and earth iu the full depth of the 

 drills. For supplies in succession, sow in July once or twice ; and make a moderate sowing at the begin- 

 ning of August for a late and last crop. In the drought of high summer, it is advisable to accelerate the 

 germination of the seed, by laying it in damp mould, till it begins to sprout, or by soaking it in soft water for 

 six or eight hours previous to sowing ; and by watering the drills to receive it. Crops sown after the middle 

 of July should be favored in situation, or the time of their bearing will be much shortened by the decline of 

 summer. From this course of sowings, a regular succession of young green pods will be produced from 

 June and July till October. As the plants of the different crops advance in growth, occasionally hoe and 

 stir the ground between the rows. Cut down all weeds as they spring. Draw some earth to the stems of 

 the plants as they rise to height, which will strengthen and forward them considerably. When advanced to 

 full bearing, it is advisable to gather the pods in moderately young or medium growth. 



3638. Culture of runners. The runner kidneybeans may be sown in a small portion, towards the end 

 of April, if tolerably warm dry weather; but as these beans are rather more tender than the dwarf sorts, 

 more liable to rot in the ground by wet and cold, especially the scarlets, the beginning or middle of May 

 will be time enough to sow a considerable crop ; and you may sow a full crop about the beginning of June. 

 Allot principally the scarlet and large white runners. Some Dutch runners are very eligible as a se- 

 condary crop. The first crops should have the assistance of a south wall. Intermediate crops may be 

 sown in any open compartment, or against any fence not looking north. The latest sown will continue 

 bearing the longer under a good aspect and shelter. In sowing, draw drills about an inch and a half, or 

 not more than two inches deep. Let parallel rows be at least four feet asunder, to admit in the intervals 

 tall sticks or poles for the plants to climb upon. Place the beans in the drills four inches apart, and earth 

 them in evenly, the depth of the drills. A row contiguous to a fence or building may ascend upon lines. 

 Some may be sown in a single row along a border, or on each side of a walk ; and have the support of a 

 slight trellis of laths and lines ; or they might be arched over with similar materials, to form a shady walk 

 or bower. In a cold wet season, or when requisite to have a few plants more forward than the general 

 crop, some scarlets may be sown in April, either in a slight hot-bed, or in pots, under frames or hand- 

 glasses, to raise and forward the plants till two or three inches high : then, at the end of May, transplant 



