ON FARM GARDENING. 33 
asparagus still prevails to some extent in private gardens, 
but the farm gardener must use cheaper methods. 
Roots per Acre. — With rows 5 feet apart and plants 2 
feet apart in the rows, it is evident that each plant repre- 
sents just 10 square feet of space. Hence, about 5,000 aspara- 
gus plants would be required for an acre of land set at 
these distances; they are, however, often set closer than this, 
sometimes at the rate of 7,000 roots and over per acre. An 
asparagus bed containing 100 roots will supply an ordinary 
family. 
BEANS. 
Bean-growing in a small way is fully warranted in every 
garden, but on a large scale it is a different question, being 
somewhat a matter of soil and location. 
Food Value. — The bean is one of the most excellent of 
human foods. Its botanical kinship is close to the pea, and 
both are legumes. The leguminous plants, it will be remem- 
bered, have the rare ability of obtaining nitrogen through 
the tubercles on their roots, taking this expensive element 
partly from the air, and not greatly impoverishing the soil 
by their growth. 
Something of the food value of the bean may be learned 
by comparing its chemical analysis with that of beef. In 100 
pounds of beans there are 23 pounds of protein (nitrogenous 
matter), while in 100 pounds of beef there are but about 15 
to 20 pounds of protein. Peas are almost as rich as beans in 
protein, which is the tissue-building element of all foods, 
and, hence, it is easy to realize the fact that both beans and 
peas are foods of the highest economic value. They are 
Bush Beans (green pod). — We recommend Improved Round Pod 
Extra Early Valentine; also, New Giant Stringless Valentine. 
Bush Beans (yellow pod). — Wardwell's Kidney Wax and Davis' 
White Wax are largely grown in the South for shipment North. Valen- 
tine Wax is recommended for the North. For descriptions, see "John- 
son & Stokes' Garden and Farm Manual." 
