286 LEGUMINOUS PLANTS. 



of the Red variety, at maturity, and contain five or six 

 seeds. 



It is a few days later than the White Cranberry, and 

 nearly two weeks later than the Red. Planted at the com- 

 mencement of the season, it blossomed in eight weeks, 

 yielded pods for the table in ten weeks, pods for shelling in 

 twelve or thirteen weeks, and ripened in a hundred and ten 

 days. Early summer plantings blossomed in seven weeks, 

 produced pods for the table in less than nine weeks, and 

 ripened in a hundred days. When grown for the ripened 

 crop, it should have the advantage of the entire season ; but, 

 when cultivated for its young pods, plantings may be made 

 till the first of July. 



The seeds are yellow, round-ovoid, half an inch long, and 

 three-eighths of an inch in breadth and thickness. Thirteen 

 hundred and fifty are contained in a quart, and will plant a 

 hundred and twenty-five hills. 



The variety is hardy and prolific, of good quality as a 

 string-bean, or for shelling in the green state. When ripe, 

 the seeds are nearly equal to the White Marrow for baking, 

 though the color is less agreeable. 



ASPARAGUS-BEAN. 



Long-podded Dolichos. Dolichos sesquipedalis. 



The Asparagus-bean, in its manner of growth, inflores- 

 cence, and in the size and character of its pods, is quite dis- 

 tinct from the class of beans before described. It is a 

 native of tropical America, and requires a long, warm sea- 

 son for its full perfection. 



The stem is from six to seven feet high ; the leaves are 

 long, narrow, smooth, and shining ; the flowers are large, 

 greenishryellow, and produced, two or three together, at the 

 extremity of quite a long peduncle ; the pods are nearly 

 cylindrical, pale green, pendent, and grow with remarkable 



