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BIGGLE GARDEN BOOK 



rows, and cultivated only one way (3,630 hills to the 

 acre). Manure and fertilizer are generally applied to 

 each hill, and the poles are set in the center, before 

 planting the seed. Plant about seven beans around 

 each pole, eye downward, cover about an inch deep, 

 and when the plants are well up thin out to about 

 three plants to a pole. The seed is very apt to rot 

 in the ground if soil is too wet or cold. A Xew 

 Jersey bean grower informs me that he greases the 

 beans with lard before planting, and thus prevents 

 the rot of seed. He lards a quantity at a time in 

 a large pan, working a little lard into the mass 

 with his hands. One quart should plant about 100 

 hills. 



The hills may, or may not, be raised a little 

 above the ground level ; personally I prefer them 

 nearly level. Manure and fertilizer should be well 

 mixed with soil in each 

 hill, with a two-inch top 

 layer of ordinary earth. 

 Poles are preferably of 

 cedar because that wood 

 is so durable, but any 

 stout pole about seven and 

 a half feet long will do. 

 These are easily set in 

 holes about a foot and a 

 half deep made with an 

 iron crowbar (see illus- 

 tration). Poles will last 

 a long time if stored 

 under cover in winter. 

 When poles can not be procured, the use of braced 

 end-posts and wires will answer the purpose and 

 save room in a small garden. One wire should be 



