148 



GARDEN FARMING 



continuous rows, so that they stand about a foot apart. In the 

 extreme northern limit of this crop one is fortunate if from J to 



| of the pods mature 

 their seed. Farther 

 south the crop is pro- 

 portionately heavier. 

 In California and 

 in other irrigated re- 

 gions where there 

 are well-marked wet 

 and dry seasons, 

 the dry season, ac- 

 companied by heavy 

 fogs, occurring dur- 

 ing the summer 

 months, it is pos- 



FIG. 54. Cutter used in harvesting Lima beans ., , . . 



sible to cultivate 



Lima beans somewhat as follows : Upon moderately rich, slightly 

 sandy valley land, seed is planted as soon as all danger from rains 

 has ceased. The planta- 

 tion will then remain dry 

 except for irrigation. If 

 there has not been suffi- 

 cient winter rain to mois- 

 ten the land thoroughly, it 

 should be well watered and 

 allowed to dry to a good 

 cultural condition before 

 planting. Seed should be 

 planted in hills about 3^- 

 or 4 feet apart each way, 

 or in drills, the beans being 

 scattered about I foot apart 

 in rows 4 feet apart. After 

 the beans have germinated 

 it may be necessary to cul- 



FIG. 55. Lima bean cutter in action 



tivate them once or twice with a sweep of some kind in order 

 to destroy any weeds which may have sprung up from the moist 



