BEAN. 



37 



runners^ or pole-beans j as they are commonly called in this 

 country : — The runner kidney beans may be sown in a 

 small portion towards the end of April, [about the middle of 

 May in New Enghmd,] if tolerably warm, dry weather; but 

 as these beans are rather more tender than the dwarf sorts^ 

 more liable to rot in the ground by v/et and cold, especially 

 the scarlets, the begiriiiing or middle of May [first of 

 June in New England] will be time enough to sow a con- 

 siderable crop ; and you may sow a full crop about the 

 " beginning of June. Allot principally the scarlet and large 

 wdiite runners. Some Dutch runners are very eligible as a 

 secondary crop. The first crops should have the assistance 

 of a south wall. Intermediate crops m.ay be sown in any 

 open compartment, or against any fence not looking nordi. 

 The latest sown will continue bearing longer under a good 

 aspect and shelter. In sowing, draw drills about an inch 

 and a half, or not more than two inches deep. Let paral- 

 lel rows be at least four feet asunder, to admit in the inter- 

 vals tall sticks or poles for the plants to climb on. Place 

 the beans in the tlrills four inches apart, and earth them in 

 evenly the depth of the drills. A row contiguous to a fence 

 or building may ascend upon lines. Some may be sown 

 in a single row along a border, or on each side of a walk, 

 and have the support of a slight trellis of laths and lines ; or 

 they might be arched over with similar materials to form a 

 shady walk or bower. In a cold, wet season, or when requi- 

 site to have a few plants more forward than the general crop, 

 some scarlets may be sown in April, either in a slight hot- 

 bed, or in pots, under frames of hand-glasses, to raise and 

 forward the plants, till two or three inches high : then, at 

 the end of May, transplant them into the open garden. As 

 the plants come up, and advance from three to six inches 

 in growth, hoe some'earth to the stems, cutting down all 

 weeds. When they begin to send forth runners, place 

 suitable supports to each row ; and conduct the tendrils to 

 the sticks or lines, turning them in a contrary direction to 

 the sun. The ascending plants will soon come into flower^ 

 podding at the joints, in long succession. They are so pro- 

 lific, that the returns from three sowings, in May, June and 

 July, will last from July till October. 



Talcing the crop. — Gather the pods, both from dwarfs and 

 runnerSy while they are young, fleshy, brittle and tender, 

 4 



