VEGETABLES DESCRIPTION AND CULTURE. 175 



BEAN, KIDNEY. (Phaseolus.) 



These are tender, Leguminous annuals, mostly natives of 

 India, first cultivated in England in 1597. The species cul- 

 tivated are P. vidgaris, Pole or Running Bean, with seed- 

 pods long, straight, and pointed, brittle while young ; j. 

 nanuS) the Bush Bean, is probably a sub-species of this, with 

 more acuminate leaves and larger bracts ; P. multiflorus 

 is the Scarlet Runner ; and P. lunatus^ the large and small 

 Lima Bean, with broad, compressed, scimetar-shaped pods, 

 and seeds broad and compressed. 



The Asparagus, or Yard-long Bean, is a species of 

 Dolichos. 



Of these species there are many varieties, which, for 

 convenience, we will class as dwarfs and running beans. 

 Those with edible pods, breaking crisply, are called snaps. 

 Of Dwarf or Bush Beans the best are : 



Early Mohawk* Pods long, beans large, oval, with dark- 

 colored specks ; it bears very well, is one of the earliest 

 varieties, and is least injured by frost. In good seasons, 

 fit for the table about five or six weeks after sowing. 



Early Valentine* Pods round, and continue crisp 

 longer than most other varieties. The beans are pink- 

 speckled on a salmon ground; bears well. Sown with 

 Early Mohawk, is about five days later. 



Newington Wonder. t ery dwarf, pods of medium 

 length, dark green color, thick and fleshy; seeds form 

 slowly, and the pods continue long crisp and fit for use; 

 seeds small, oblong, and light chestnut-colored when ripe. 



Late Valentine* Pods similar to Early Valentine, 

 equally crisp and tender, color dark brown, speckled ; a 

 better bearer, and grows more thrifty than the early sort. 

 One of the best. About ten days later than the Mohawk. 



Royal Kidney. Pods long, finely flavored ; seeds 

 white and large. Sown at the same time, is a fortnight 



