114 GARDENS AND THEIR MEANING 



Beans belong to the family of legumes ; so, as may be 

 guessed, they are nitrogen gatherers. Consequently they are 

 best stimulated by a fertilizer that contains little or no nitro- 

 gen but chiefly phosphoric acid and potash. Their greatest 

 enemy is rust, a fungous disease. This is troublesome at damp 

 seasons ; therefore be careful not to brush against the vines 

 when they are wet, lest the tiny fungus should be sown on 

 the leaves. Pinch off the ends of the plants if they are grow- 

 ing too fast, so that their strength shall not run to foliage. 



The bean chosen for baking is a variety of pea bean. It is 

 prepared for the market by a special process. When appear- 

 ing on the table after hours of slow cooking, a dish of Boston 

 baked beans should be about the color of a horse chestnut, 

 and of a mealy consistency, although each bean keeps its 

 own distinct shape. 



Beans, both shell and string, are commonly boiled. Beans 

 that are boiled are served with a seasoning of salt, pepper, and 

 butter, or covered with a cream sauce. Cold boiled beans 

 make a delicious salad. They should never be put on to cook 

 in tepid water, but, to keep their flavor, they must be covered 

 with boiling salted water. 



Beets. Beets are grown for two purposes : for their tops, 

 which make tender greens, and for their thickened roots. They 

 are hardy and of easy culture. Turnip beet tops will mature 

 in two months or less, and the little new beets are ready by 

 midsummer. The soil should be rich and light. 



Beet seed should be scattered thinly in drills a foot apart. 

 These so-called seeds are really fruits containing several true 

 seeds, so that the plantlets come up in queer little clumps. 

 This explains why they require special thinning. Sow seeds as 

 early as the ground can be worked, and again every two weeks 

 up to the end of July. The depth for planting in the spring 

 is one inch. Constant cultivation is necessary for a good crop. 



