CULTURE OF POD-BEARING CROPS. 67 



but it is not found wild anywhere now. In Europe 

 the culture of the broad bean goes back to prehistoric 

 times, and it was held in high estimation by the 

 ancient Greeks and Romans. 



The bean succeeds best, naturally, in a medium to 

 a heavy soil, but can be well grown in sandy soils if 

 liberally manured and means are employed to con- 

 serve moisture about the roots. 



The preparation of the ground and manuring for 

 this crop should be on the same lines as those out- 

 lined for the pea. 



When and How to Sow. A first sowing of an early 

 variety may be made about the middle of February, 

 and further sowings made once a month for succes- 

 sion up to May. Set the line and take out a wide 

 flat-bottomed drill 3 to 3-| inches deep ; plant two 

 rows of beans in the drill 5 inches apart, and in 

 each row the seed should be about 8 inches apart, 

 planted alternately ; cover in and firm the soil 

 moderately above the seeds, afterwards raking level. 

 A distance of 24 to 30 inches may be allowed be- 

 tween the double rows. Intercropping can be prac- 

 tised as recommended with peas, and when the beans 

 have finished flowering and the pods are all set, 

 pinch ofi the points of the plants two leaves above 

 the uppermost pods, to prevent unnecessary top 

 growth from being made, and place a check on the 

 black fly which so frequently attacks the tender 

 growing points. Hoe the surface of the ground regu- 

 larly, and in an exposed situation the rows may be 

 supported with stakes and string, as indicated for peas. 



The following are good varieties for general gar- 

 den purposes : Early Longpod, Early Mazagan, Ex- 



