2 38 
VEGETABLE GARDENING 
beans and both home and commercial gardeners are usu- 
ally willing to take some risks in getting an early start. 
The first planting may be killed by frost; but if it escapes 
the home gardener will be pleased, and the commercial 
grower will probably be well rewarded. If some of the 
plants are damaged or killed, those which have escaped 
may make a profitable crop. 
For hand or wheel hoe cultivation the rows are often 
planted 16 to 18 inches apart; for horse tillage, 30 inches 
is satisfactory, although many growers prefer more 
space. 
Beans are usually planted with corn drills by the use 
of the bean plate. Bean “spotters” are also employed 
to some extent. These drop three, or four beans to the 
hill, the hills being about 8 inches apart. This method 
of planting gives better opportunity for hand hoeing and 
is said to increase yields. When planted in drills the 
beans are 2 to 4 inches apart and covered with 2 inches 
of soil or less in many instances. No more soil should 
be used in covering than will insure sufficient moisture 
for germination. The amount of seed used to the acre 
varies from ^ to bushels, depending upon the size 
of beans and planting distances, but 1 bushel an acre 
is probably most used. 
309. Planting pole beans. — Pole beans are generally 
planted in hills, 3 x 4 or 4 x 4 feet apart. The poles are 
placed at the time of planting. (See Section 31 1 for 
notes on methods of supporting.) The hills are often 
raised a few inches to secure good drainage. Four to six 
beans are planted in each hill, and then thinned if 
necessary. 
310. Planting lima beans. — All varieties of lima beans 
are very tender and must not be planted until the ground 
is warm and there is no danger of frost. Pole varieties 
may be grown in hills or in drills, and in the latter case 
supported by wire (311). The planting distances for 
