168 THE KITCHEN-GARDEN, [chap. vi. 
with them by persons speaking of garden 
products, yet differ in several very important 
particulars: for instance, they will grow in 
much stronger soil; they do not require 
sticks; and they are generally topped, that 
is, the leading shoot of each plant is cut off, 
an operation that would be fatal to peas. 
There are many different kinds of beans, 
though not so many as of peas; and the 
different varieties may be divided into the 
early and the late. The early beans may be 
sown in drills in November or December, 
to stand the winter; but the main crop is 
generally sown in January or February. 
The late beans are sown in March and April, 
and some even so late as June; and instead 
of drills, a hole is .made for each bean sepa¬ 
rately with a dibber. Both sorts are covered 
with earth, which is pressed down and then 
watered; and they require no further care 
till the beans are three or four inches high, 
when they should be hoed and earthed up. 
As soon as the plants come into blossom, 
the tops are cut off; and this is said not 
only to increase the crop, but to prevent the 
plants from being attacked with the insect 
i 
