4i6 LEGUMINOS/E 



Peas contain on an average 14 per cent, of water, 20 per cent, 

 of albuminoids, about 54 per cent, of soluble carbohydrates, and 

 5 J^ per cent, of ' fibre.' 



Vetches (Genus Vicia.) 



5. Bean ( Vicia Faba L., or Faba vulgaris Moench). — A well- 

 known annual plant whose seeds are excellent food for all kinds 

 of stock on the farm. The stems and leaves (' haulm or straw ') 

 when well-harvested make fodder little inferior to good hay. 



Seed and Germination. — The nature of the seed and seed- 

 ling of a bean has been discussed in Chapter II, 



Root, Stem and Leaf. — The primary root is strongly de- 

 veloped. The stems, which stand erect, are unbranched, and 

 from ■2.\ to 5 feet high, according to the variety. They are 

 ' fleshy ' and stiff, four-sided and slightly winged. 



Usually three stems spring from one seed, viz., the main stem, 

 and two lateral ones developed from buds in the axils of the 

 cotyledons. 



The leaves are pinnately compound, with one, two or three 

 pairs of elliptical entire leaflets. 



Inflorescence, Flower and Fruits. — The inflorescences 

 are axillary racemes of two to six flowers. The flowers are of 

 the common papilionaceous type ; the petals are usually all 

 white, with the exception of the wings, which have a large black 

 spot upon them. 



The fruit is a legume which, when young, is fleshy and has a 

 thick velvety lining. After ripening the valves of the legume 

 become tough and hard. 



Varieties. — Several varieties of the bean, such as the Long 

 pods and Broad Windsor, are cultivated mainly in gardens and 

 cannot be noticed here. The following kinds are those most 

 generally grown as farm crops : — 



Scotch Horse Bean. — A very hardy, fairly prolific variety, with 

 stems about 4 feet high. The pods contain on an average three 

 seeds. Each seed is buff or pale brown in colour, and about 



