Lima Beans 



389 



pects to grow them in the North should endeavor in every way to 

 shorten the period of growth. This may be done, in the first place, 

 by planting the earlier varieties; and, in the second place, by ex- 

 ercising great care in the selection of soil and in giving particular 

 attention to cultivation. Light and so-called ^quick' soils are 

 best. Soils which are naturally sandy and loose, but which have 

 been enriched in previous years by the addition of manure, are ex- 

 cellent for Lima beans, especially if they have a warm exposure. 



Fig. 120. Fig. 121. 



Leaf of Extra-Early Lima, one of Mammoth Kidney-shaped, 

 the large Lima class (X M) Half size. 



The soil should also be dry. Coarse, raw manure should be avoided 

 for Lima beans, because it tends to make too rank and too late 

 growth. If any fertilizer is applied the year in which the beans 

 are planted, it should be such as will become available very quickly 

 and therefore tend to hasten the maturity of the crop. We prefer, 

 therefore, to use some of the concentrated fertilizers, especially 

 those which are rich in potash and phosphoric acid, and avoid those 

 which contain very much nitrogen. If nitrogenous fertilizers are 



