THE VEGETABLE GARDEN 249 
Setting poles. After the soil is ready for planting, set 
a post at each end of the row and stretch a wire between 
the posts. It may be placed about four feet from the 
ground. Select poles that are six or seven feet long and 
from one to two inches in diameter. Drive them a foot 
into the ground and fasten the wire to them. 
Culture. Never cultivate beans when the leaves are 
wet, but always hoe before the ground becomes hard 
from rains. Keep the soil loose to a depth of two inches. 
Pull weeds growing near the stems. A top-dressing of 
poultry manure, ashes, or compost around the plants will 
be of much benefit, hastening maturity and increasing 
the yield. During hot weather draw fine soil around the 
vines to serve as a dust mulch for retaining moisture. 
Diseases. For anthracnose, or “ pod spot,” spray with 
weak Bordeaux mixture or with sulfur in water, and 
avoid low, damp ground. Rotate the crop. Spray with 
Bordeaux mixture for rust. 
Pests. If the seeds contain weevils, scatter them in 
a pan of water and reject all that float. For leaf beetle, 
spray with arsenate of lead. Wash green beans carefully 
before using if the plants have been sprayed with arse- 
nate of lead. 
BEETS 
Varieties. There are two leading classes of beets: 
the short-season, turnip varieties for early summer or 
late fall use, and the larger kinds. The turnip-shaped 
beets make a rapid growth and will be ready for use 
