232 Subtropical Vegetable-Gardening 



3. LIMA BEANS 



The large-seeded varieties of the lima or butter bean 

 provide, in the opinion of many, one of the choicest of 

 vegetables. Shelled from the green pod, or when ripe and 

 dry, these beans are alike acceptable if cooked for two 

 hours or so. Lima beans are grown in many tropical 

 countries and the best varieties should be in every tropical 

 garden where the conditions allow of their thriving. They 

 usually grow well in the dry or cool season or at an eleva- 

 tion of 1000 feet or more. 



Culture. 



The culture of the limas is the same as for the snap 

 beans, except that they are more sensitive to cold, and 

 require some weeks longer to mature. 



Varieties of lima beans. 



Some of the best varieties of lima beans are as follows : 

 Carolina or small-seeded : — Wood's Prolific Bush, 

 Wood's Improved Pole. 



Large-seeded : — Wonder Bush, Dreer's Bush, Hender- 

 son's Ideal (pole). Leviathan (pole). Challenger (pole). 



4. RUNNER BEANS 



Runner beans grow well in many tropical climates at 

 the proper season. Their large pods are sliced and 

 cooked green, or the seeds used as green shell beans. 

 For the latter purpose, they are somewhat inferior to the 

 lima beans. They are chiefly grown in California. 



