1516 Tue VEGETABLE INDUSTRY In NEw York STATE 
over a few times with a spring-touch harrow. This gives a better 
preparation all through than was afforded by the summer fallow 
practice which was the usual method of preparing land for wheat 
before the advent of beans as a field crop. With a well tended 
bean crop we are summer fallowing and at the same time growing 
a cover crop that pays all the expense and usually much more. 
The benefit in either case is from the shade and thorough tillage 
given the land which brings the humus in the soil to a condition 
avoilable to plant growth, and beans being of the trifolium order 
of plants, or a nitrogen gatherer, the soil is left in better con- 
dition as regards this element. Now with wheat and seeding, 
after a bean crop, the sod begins again to furnish new material 
for humus, and will be ready for the bean crop in rotation. 
SUMMARY 
Profitable bean growing depends upon the following: 
1. The adaptability of the soil conditions, or the possibility of 
correcting adverse conditions. 
2. The previous management of the field, and a thorough prep- 
aration of the soil. 
3. If a fertilizer is used, let it be after a careful study of con- 
ditions. Use it on the wheat preceding so as to insure a good sod. 
In this way thousands of dollars could be saved bean growers. 
4, Cultivate thoroughly, but after careful study of the plant’s 
requirements. 
5. Plant in rotation on sod, or after corn that was grown on 
sod. 
6. Harvest when fully ripe and house when dry enough to 
admit of storing. 
7. Do not become a speculator unless you can attord to. There 
is a positive loss in shrinkage, and often unheralded changes in 
market conditions. 
GARDEN BEANS 
A friend of mine who is at the head of a large seed house tells 
me that there are about seventy-five varieties of garden beans 
that are worthy of selecting from, having all combinations of colors 
from pure white to ebony black, and many of them beautifully 
spotted. 
