CULTURE OF POD-BEARING CROPS. 69 



time the plants appear above ground surface cultivate 

 the soil, and if the ground is dry and porous a mulch 

 of manure placed between the rows is beneficial. 

 Give a copious watering whenever there is any risk 

 of dryness at the roots. After the pods are set, weak 

 liquid manure may also be given with advantage. 



Good varieties are : Canadian Wonder, Evergreen, 

 Ne Plus Ultra, and Magnum Bonum. 



The Runner Bean (Phaseolus multiflorus). This 

 is a native of South America, and was introduced 

 into this country in 1633. It was long cultivated 

 chiefly as an ornamental plant, and it was not until 

 much more recent times that it came into favour as 

 a food plant. The runner bean is perennial when 

 the roots are lifted in autumn and stored, to be 

 planted out again in April. But the best results are 

 got by planting seeds in spring and treating the 

 plant as an annual. 



Culture. Prepare and manure the ground on the 

 same lines as for peas. Sow early in May ; set 

 the line and take out a broad flat-bottomed drill 2 

 inches deep ; in the drill plant two rows of beans 

 5 inches apart, and 8 inches between the seeds in 

 the rows ; cover in and then rake level. As soon as 

 the plants are into active growth place supports or 

 stakes, 7 or 8 feet high, in position on both sides of 

 the row. Water when necessary, and give weak liquid 

 manure occasionally after a number of pods are set. 



Varieties : Scarlet Champion, Prizewinner, and Ne 

 Plus Ultra. 



PESTS AND DISEASES. 



Pea Moth (Grapholitha pisana). The maggots of 

 this insect are the cause of the " worm-eaten " peas 



