THE 166 



GARDEN YARD 



Pea cultivation was recorded two thousand 

 years ago. 



BEANS. 



All the well-known varieties of garden beans 

 are tender to frost, needing a warm season and 

 a sunny exposure. The seed is not sown until 

 the weather is thoroughly settled and the soil 

 in excellent tilth ; then it is sown where the plants 

 are to stand. The favorites in this country are the 

 dwarfs; the chief advantage of the dwarf types 

 is the saving of expense in supports, and the 

 greater ease of cultivation. The early crop is 

 usually eaten as string beans, though the best 

 "string" bean is the kind that has no "strings 

 to it." This variety breaks off with a clean 

 snap and is often known as "snap" bean. 

 Beans that are well suited to be eaten as string 

 beans have thick, fleshy pods and very little 

 fibrous tissue. In order that string beans may 

 be of the best quality, the crop must make a 

 quick and uninterrupted growth. A succession 

 of beans may be had all summer by planting at 

 intervals, and late in the summer season a new 

 crop may be planted for late fall use. String 

 beans are always in demand; and now, because 

 of the southern crops, the markets of large cities 

 are seldom without them all the year around. 



