280 



GARDENING FOE TIIK SOUTH. 



1 he bean crop, which, by the way, like most legumes, 

 draws most of its sustenance from the atmosphere. 



Culture. — As beans are very easily destroyed by spring 

 frosts, there is no use in planting the main crop too early. 

 A few of the Extra Early or Mohawk may be planted at 

 the same time with early corn, and if there is danger, 

 protect them when they come up, by placing wide planks 

 over the rows an inch or two above the plants, supported 



Fig. 105— Burpee's Bush Lima Bean. 



on blocks or bricks, every cold night. The main early crop 

 is planted in Georgia the last of March, or early in April; 

 near New York city about the first of May. Planting may 

 continue until about eight weeks before the autumn 

 frosts occur. The soil for the early crop should be dry 

 and light; if wet or tenacious, the seed often decays with- 

 out germinating, or comes up spindling and unproductive. 

 For the summer-sown crop, a soil slightly moist, but still 

 inclining to a sand, is to be preferred. 



riant in drills eighteen inches or two feet apart, plac- 



