282 GARDENING FOR THE SOUTH. 



and should not be planted until settled warm weather, 

 as the seed will rot in cool weather, and the slightest 

 frost will destroy them if they chance to vegetate. The 

 tenth of April is early enough in Middle Georgia; near 

 New York city they plant a month later. They may be 

 forwarded by planting in small pots in a hot-bed to be 

 transferred, by breaking the balls, to the open ground 

 when three inches high. Lima beans will not thrive if 

 too much crowded; the rows must be five feet apart, and 

 the hills three feet in the row. The space between may 

 be cropped early in the season with Irish potatoes, etc. 

 When the plants begin to run, give them a little assist- 

 ance, if not inclined to cling to the poles. If these are too 

 high, the vines are later in bearing, and the crop out of 

 reach in gathering. When they blossom, pinch off the 

 tips of the leading shoots, to hasten the maturity of the 

 crop. 



In planting Lima beans, place the eye downward and 

 the narrow end the lowest, as the bean always rises from 

 the ground in that position, and if not planted right, it 

 has to turn itself over in the soil, and if prevented by any 

 obstruction from turning over, it is sure to rot in the 

 ground. Flanted in this way, they come up sooner, bet- 

 ter, and more evenly. A quart will plant about four hun- 

 dred hills. The subsequent culture consists in keeping 

 the ground frequently hoed when the vines are dry. They 

 will continue in bearing until cut off by the hard frosts. 



For Seed. — Gather both the Lima and kidney beans 

 when ripe and dry them thoroughly. The seed should be 

 kept pure by planting the varieties at a distance from 

 each other. Where subject to be destroyed by bugs, 

 instead of using paper bags, put them up in glass bottles 

 or earthen jugs well corked. Into each bottle or jug pour, 

 before corking, a teaspoonful of spirits of turpentine. The 



