68 VEGETABLE GARDENING. 



hibition Longpod, Mammoth Longpod, and Green 

 Windsor. 



The Kidney or French Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). 

 This was originally a native of South America, 

 but not now to be found growing wild. It was in- 

 troduced into Europe early in the sixteenth century, 

 and is said to have been brought to England from 

 the Continent about the same time. The kidney 

 bean succeeds best in a warm, well-drained, and 

 moderately light soil ; cold clay soils and cold wet 

 seasons do not suit this vegetable. 



Dig the ground deeply in winter, working in a 

 dressing of good farmyard manure. Afterwards ap- 

 ply basic slag and potash as recommended for peas, 

 and in addition give a light application of sulphate 

 of ammonia, 1 Ibs. to 30 square yards, either applied 

 broadcast before sowing or later as a top-dressing 

 between the rows when the plants are established 

 and growing freely. The crop responds readily to 

 this stimulant, especially in poor soils. 



Times and Method of Sowing. In large gardens 

 several frequent sowings for succession may be made 

 from the end of April to the middle of July, bub in 

 small gardens, or allotments, two sowings will suffice 

 the first during the second week in May, and the 

 next sowing about the same time in June. 



Drills 2 to 3 inches deep and 18 to 20 inches apart 

 should be made with the draw-hoe, in which the 

 beans should be planted singly, 10 to 12 inches apart. 

 If the quality of the seeds is at all doubtful a safe 

 plan is to sow 5 to 6 inches apart, and afterwards 

 remove every alternate plant ; they can also be trans- 

 planted to fill up vacancies in the rows. From the 



