1516 The Vegetable Industry in Kew 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. Xow 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 afford 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. 



