556 
THE BROAD BEAN. 
to contain the best varieties in cultivation, and 
a more than sufficient number to supply the 
largest demand likely to be made for this 
article of diet. 
The Early Mazagan grows from four to 
five feet high, with rather short pods, and 
about four beans in each, which are rather 
small, and of a white colour. The best for 
early sowing, as it is hardy, and a good 
bearer. 
The Green Long Pod attains about the 
same height as the lust, with long pods, con- 
taining about four beans, rather small and 
green coloured, both in a young and in a ripe 
state. Excellent as a bearer and for summer 
use. 
The Dutch Long Pod attains the height of 
about five feet, with long and broad pods, con- 
taining five or six beans, which are large, 
broad, and white. Perhaps the best for ge- 
neral cultivation, being a good bearer, of good 
quality and rather late. 
The Windsor, or Mumford, grows about 
four and a half feet high, producing a short, 
broad pod, generally containing about two very 
large beans of a white colour. The best for 
summer use, and remains longer in perfection 
than any other, except the next. 
The Green Windsor, or Toker, grows about 
five feet high, with short, broad pods, con- 
taining about two large and very broad 
beans, which retain their green colour after 
ripening. 
The Long Pod has stems from four to 
five feet high, producing long, not very 
broad pods, with four or five beans in each, 
which are large, broad, thin, and white. It is 
of excellent quality. 
The Dwarf Fan has stems about two and 
a half feet high, with short, almost round pods, 
having about three small white beans in each. 
An abundant bearer, rather late, but of good 
quality. 
The Red Blossomed grows about five feet 
high, with flowers varying in colour through 
many shades of red or pink. The pods are 
short, containing about three small beans. It 
is only fit for ornament. 
The White Blossomed has stems about four 
feet high, with pure white blossoms. Pods 
rather long, containing about four small beans. 
Like the last, it is more ornamental than use- 
ful, being a very moderate bearer. 
The Violette grows about four and a half 
feet high, with long and broad pods, contain- 
ing three or four large broad beans, marked 
white and purple, when young, but of a dark 
red colour when ripe. Tolerably good, and 
rather later than the Mazagan in coming into 
use. 
The Dark Red grows about four feet high, 
producing short broad pods, with two or three 
beans in each, large and iwoad, of a light 
red colour when young, but changing to a dark 
red when ripe. Of good quality, and rather 
late, but not liked on account of its colour. 
There are many varieties of field or Horse- 
beans, besides these, but they hardly come 
under consideration here. Some attempts have 
been made to unite or blend the qualities of 
the field bean and field pea, but with indifferent 
success. A very handsome field bean is Ful- 
lard's Golden-podded Bean. 
Of these various sorts — all that are really 
distinguishable among the multiplicity of 
names which occur in seedsmen's lists — the 
best varieties are the early Mazagan, and the 
Green Long Pod for spring sowing, and the 
Windsor, Green Windsor, and Dutch Long 
Pod for summer use. Where this vegetable 
is in request they are generally sown in the 
latter end of November, or in December, but 
if not particularly wanted, a spring sowing in 
February or March will be quite early enough. 
They delight in a strong rich soil, and in 
such a situation allowance must be made for 
their extra growth. From four feet for the 
shorter sorts, to six or eight feet for the stronger 
ones, is not too much room to leave between 
the rows, as all the spare space may be cropped 
with lower growing vegetables, to which the 
shade afforded by the beans will generally be 
beneficial. For tall growing vegetables of this 
description the drills should always be drawn 
north and south, if possible, as then each side 
of the rows receives an equal degree of light, 
as well as whatever crops may be grown be- 
tween the rows. The ground having been 
well dug, and manured, if not in good heart, 
proceed to draw drills as directed above, about 
three inches deep, then sow the beans at from 
three to six inches apart, according to the sort, 
— cover them up, and if the ground is light 
or dry, slightly tread them in, and rake the 
surface even, avoiding to tread the ground any 
more than is indispensable. But little more 
is requisite until they are in bloom, but to 
keep the ground clear of weeds, and to hoe 
pretty deep to keep it light and porous to the 
atmosphere. When the plants are in bloom 
about half way up, or sooner if the black 
aphis or fly makes its appearance, pinch off the 
top of each plant, — if the fly is on it, as low 
as they appear, and let the tops be carefully 
destro} r ed. Any other means of stopping this 
plague is, it is to be feared, ineffectual, and 
even this is only a partial relief. Independent 
of the insect, the stopping of the plant has a 
tendency to enable it to perfect the pods already 
set, and there is always enough on the stein by 
the time they are stopped to yield an excellent 
crop. If it is intended to save any seed, the 
best plan is to allow a portion of a row to 
stand over for that purpose, and not to be content 
