210 THE BEAN CROP. 



bean land, and this may be either spread on the stubble 

 of the preceding crop, and ploughed in at the time, or left 

 until the time of sowing, when it is distributed, and either 

 ploughed in, in the usual way, or laid in the furrows and 

 covered up by splitting the ridges, if the beans are to 

 be sown on the ridge. This latter mode is that usually 

 followed in the north, and possesses great advantages 

 over sowing on the flat, which is the usual practice in the 

 south ; the crop can be hoed earlier and more regularly 

 during its growth, which, indeed, gives to the bean crop 

 all the advantages of a fallow crop in the rotation. As 

 we shall have to describe the method of preparing ridges, 

 and of depositing the manure in them, in the next Part, 

 when we discuss the cultivation of the " Turnip," we will 

 not attempt it now. All we would observe is, that before 

 sowing is attempted, whether on the flat or on the ridge, 

 it is important that the land be thoroughly cleaned. This 

 part of the operation is generally, on such soils, far more 

 effectually and economically performed in the autumn 

 than in the spring, and should be commenced as soon as 

 possible after the land intended for beans is cleared 

 of its crop. The manure may then be ploughed in, and 

 the land left with a good deep winter furrow. If this 

 has been properly attended to, a double turn of the scari- 

 fier on well -drained soils, will generally give a sufficient 

 seed-bed for sowing on the flat, without bringing the 

 plough on the field at all ; and, indeed, for ridge-sowing the 

 scarifier may always advantageously precede the ploughs, 

 as the soil by being moved becomes drier and more friable, 

 and the process of ridging is far more satisfactorily exe- 

 cuted. In the selection of the seed, the same care should 

 be taken that it is sound, fully matured, and true to its 

 variety, as has before been recommended in regard to the 

 cereals. 



The particular variety sown will be determined by the 



