238 VEGETABLE GARDENING 



beans and both home and commercial gardeners are usu- 

 ally willing to take some risks in getting an early start. 

 The first planting may be killed by frost ; but if it escapes 

 the home gardener will be pleased, and the commercial 

 grower will probably be well rewarded. If some of the 

 plants are damaged or killed, those which have escaped 

 may make a profitable crop. 



For hand or wheel hoe cultivation the rows are often 

 planted 16 to 18 inches apart ; for horse tillage, 30 inches 

 is satisfactory, although many growers prefer more 

 space. 



Beans are usually planted with corn drills by the use 

 of the bean plate. Bean "spotters" are also employed 

 to some extent. These drop three or four beans to the 

 hill, the hills being about 8 inches apart. This method 

 of planting gives better opportunity for hand hoeing and 

 is said to increase yields. When planted in drills the 

 beans are 2 to 4 inches apart and covered with 2 inches 

 of soil or less in many instances. No more soil should 

 be used in covering than will insure sufficient moisture 

 for germination. The amount of seed used to the acre 

 varies from ^ to i}4 bushels, depending upon the size 

 of beans and planting distances, but I bushel an acre 

 is probably most used. 



309. Planting pole beans. — Pole beans are generally 

 planted in hills, 3 x 4 or 4 x 4 feet apart. The poles are 

 placed at the time of planting. (See Section 311 for 

 notes on methods of supporting.) The hills are often 

 raised a few inches to secure good drainage. Four to six 

 beans are planted in each hill, and then thini\gd if 

 necessary. 



310. Planting lima beans. — All varieties of lima beans 

 are very tender and must not be planted until the ground 

 is warm and there is no danger of frost. Pole varieties 

 may be grown in hills or in drills, and in the latter case 

 supported by wire (311). The planting distances for 



