228 Subtropical Vegetable-Gardening 



very simple and effective method has been employed 

 with good success by some vegetable-growers in south 

 Florida. The field, after the contour lines have been 

 located, is thrown up in beds wide enough to hold but two 

 rows. These beds are made by using a large two-horse 

 plow and throwing up a head-land for every two rows of 

 the crop to be planted. This leaves a double open furrow 

 for every two rows. When the water is turned into such 

 an open furrow, it moistens the land thoroughly. Such 

 work requires a large amount of water, and is not practi- 

 cable where the supply is limited. Under such a plan, 

 the two rows on a bed are made only 18 or 20 inches apart, 

 while the distance between those on separate beds is 

 correspondingly greater. 



In regions where frosts may be expected, a second 

 sowing may be made two weeks after the first. The rows 

 of the second sowing should be made as near as possible 

 alongside of the rows of the first sowing. If a frost occurs, 

 the first sowing will protect the plants of the second sowing. 

 If no frost occurs, the second sowing may be destroyed by 

 using a cultivator when it begins to injure the first sowing. 



All cultivating in a bean field should be shallow, unless 

 the crop is planted in a heavy soil ; but it should be fre- 

 quent, especially in rainy weather (this of course does not 

 refer to clay soil). As soon as the bloom appears abun- 

 dantly, it is time to stop cultivating, at least near the 

 plants. 



Preparing bush beans for market. 



Snaps are picked any time during the day when the dew 

 is off and they are not wet from rain. They should be 



