BEAK — BEET. 



183 



the hurry of business we have not always time to explain 

 why they rotted, and would here state for the sake of our- 

 selves and cotemporaries, that the reason why the Limas 

 fail to grow in 99 cases out of 100, is, that they are planted 

 too early, and that it is no fault of the seed, which is 

 rarely imperfect. The proper method of planting Lima 

 Beans is to push each one singly into the soil, with the 

 eye downward ; the embryo is so very broad and flat that 

 it is difficult for it to turn itself as smaller seeds do when 

 placed in a wrong position. 



The Large White Lima is the variety that is most 

 prized. 



The Giant Wax makes pods nine inches in length, 

 and is a very productive variety. 



The London Horticultural is used as snaps or shelled. 



The Scarlet Runner is a highly ornamental variety, 

 producing dazzling scarlet flowers during the whole 

 summer. It is used mainly as a snap bean. Lima Beans 

 are usually only planted once in this latitude, as they 

 take nearly the whole season to mature. From thirty 

 to fifty poles are sufficient for ordinary use ; this will re- 

 quire from one to two quarts of seed. 



BEET, (Beta vulgaris.) 



Sow in shallow drills twelve to eighteen inches apart 

 in April or May, dropping the seeds so that they will fall 

 an inch or so apart. When the plants have grown to the 

 hight of about two inches, thin out, so that they will 

 stand four inches apart. When the roots are three inches 

 in diameter, they are fit for use. Of course they are used 

 when much larger, but the younger they are, the more 

 delicate and tender. The varieties cultivated are lim- 

 ited to a few : 



