BEANS. 



27 



Running or Pole Beans {Haricot a rames, Fr. ; Stangen 

 bohue, Ger.) are sorts in great esteem ; especially the Lima, 

 of which there are two varieties, the White and Green. 

 Both are excellent in flavor. The latter has the advantage of 

 size, and the former of producing a more certain and uniform 

 crop. It is the variety most extensively cultivated for the 

 Philadelphia market, covering an extent of over two hundred 

 acres in the immediate vicinity of the city. 



Culture. — They are planted in the last week of April, or 

 llrst week of May, in hills very similar to Indian Corn, and 

 about the same distance apart. In fact, those who can plant 

 Corn, can plant Lima Beans : though strangers to this luscious 

 vegetable often make very curious mistakes in its culture, some 

 drawing drills and sowing them therein, others digging pits 

 and burying the delicate seed (which is impatient of cold or 

 moisture) six or eight inches deep ; the results from both of 

 which operations must be nearly a total failure. Some sprout 

 these beans in a hot-bed, and transplant them into the hills 

 in which they are to grow ; but very little, if any time, is 

 gained by the trouble. A hill of good, rich earth, raised a few 

 inches above the level, and five or six beans put two inches 

 deep therein, will be found the safest and surest. If three 

 grow, it is enough ; if not, plant over again. They will grow 

 twenty feet ; but rods of twelve feet, placed two feet in the 

 ground at the time the hill is made, will support them. Cold 

 damp weather frequently destroys the first and even the sec- 

 ond planting. 



Carolina or Sewee Bean, has all the habits of the Lima, 

 though not so large. It is more hardy, and produces as pro- 

 fusely, but has not so much of the rich, buttery flavor. 



Dutch- Case Knife is an excellent pole Bean, producing a 

 good crop, of fine flavor, and much earlier for the table than 

 either the Lima or Carolina. It can be used either in or with- 

 out the pod ; it is also well adapted for Winter use 



