AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
fmprir to impact % farmer, t\z flatter, aitir \\t (Sarimr* 
AGRICULTURE IS THE MOST HEALTHFUL, THE MOST USEFUL, AND THE MOST NOBLE EMPLOYMENT OF MAN, —Washington. 
CONDUCTING EDITOR, PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY 
ORANGE JUDD, A. M. ALLEN & CO.,189 Water-st., New-York. 
VOL. XIV.—NO. 9.] NEW-YORK, THURSDAY, MAY 10, 1855. [NEW SERIES.—NO. 87. 
Jbr prospectus, Semis, &c., 
15?” SEE LAST PAGE.«jg3 
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CULTIVATION OF BEANS. 
Having in previous numbers given our 
readers full directions for the cultivation in 
the best manner of the most important grain 
and root crops, we propose, in this and sub¬ 
sequent numbers, to treat of others not so 
generally cultivated, but yet of high value. 
We commence with beans, which, accord¬ 
ing to our table at page 88 of this volume, 
rank third in value as muscle-producing food, 
at present prices of grain and pulse. In 
ancient days, beans were more eaten and 
more highly prized than they now are. It 
would be well for us to go back to the tastes 
and habits of our forefathers, and make 
them a more common dish at our tables; 
for, with the exception of peas, they are un¬ 
questionably the cheapest food we eat; and 
nothing scarcely is healthier, or gives great¬ 
er strength and endurance to the animal 
frame. 
It has often been a matter of regret with 
us that the white field bean was not more 
cultivated, especially in the eastern States. 
It produces well, and pays better for the 
labor bestowed upon it, in light, poor soils, 
than any other crop. There are thousands 
of acres in our country now running to 
waste, on which beans might be grown very 
profitably at present prices ; and if we can 
in this short article be the means of extend¬ 
ing their cultivation, we shall feel abund¬ 
antly remunerated for the trouble of writ¬ 
ing it. 
Soil. —The bean will grow well in any 
soil, from the stillest clay to the loosest 
sand; but in our experience of its cultiva¬ 
tion we have found that of a light gravel, 
abounding somewhat with stone, suit it best. 
In a clay soil the bean does not ripen so 
well or show so pure a white, and it is some¬ 
what subject to mold and rot; in rich loams 
jt runs too much to vine ; and in light shift¬ 
ing sands its growth is small and somewhat 
parched. 
Preparation. —We are supposing the soil a 
hard, poor gravel. In this case it is custom¬ 
ary to plow about three inches deep ; but as 
the bean sends out innumerable fine roots 
from its main stem, it is important to have 
the ground loose and mellow to a greater 
depth, and yet keep the most fertile part of 
it on the top. If, then, the labor can be 
spared, and it be not too expensive, we would 
recommend that the surface-plow be followed 
by the smaller kind of subsoil-plow, stirring 
the ground six inches deeper, thus making 
the two plowings at least nine inches in 
depth. 
Manures. —A very favorite manure for a 
bean crop in some places is chip-dung ; but 
composts of almost any kind answer well, 
especially those in which muck predomi¬ 
nates. Guano may be used at the rate of 
100 to 300 lbs. per acre, according to soil. 
Poudrette is a good manure, but should be 
used sparingly. Bone dust and dissolved 
bones are useful to a certain extent. Lime, 
ashes, charcoal, and plaster, are more or less 
beneficial as a top-dressing. Long manure 
fresh from the barnyard is rather too rank, 
and is apt to make the beans run too much 
to vine ; but this depends something upon 
the soil to which it is applied. Whatever 
fertilizing materials, however, are made use 
of, if the land be very poor and rough, and it 
is not particularly wished to improve it for 
a succeeding crop, w r e would recommend 
that they should be used for manuring by 
the side or in the hill or drill; otherwise be 
spread broadcast directly after plowing, then 
well incorporated with the soil by harrowing. 
Thus prepared, the ground should be planted 
as soon as possible. 
Seed. —The best kind of field-bean, is of 
small size, plump, round, and slightly ob¬ 
long in shape and of a white color. 
Planting. —For this purpose, some prefer 
throwing the field into ridges ; but this should 
only be resorted to when the soil is stiff, or 
possesses a superabundant moisture ; in ev¬ 
ery other case, planting on a level surface is 
best. Drills 21 to 3 feet apart is the favor¬ 
ite method of planting with those who are 
desirous of making the most of their ground ; 
hills 21 to 3 feet distant each way answer 
nearly as well; some sow broadcast, but 
when this is done, no after-culture can fol¬ 
low, and the crop is liable to be lessened by 
the growth of weeds, and the land is left in 
a foul state. Beans are frequently grown 
among corn, being planted between ea«h hill 
at the second time of hoeing. The crop 
under these circumstances is small; it takes 
also from that of the corn, and it may be 
considered upon the whole, as scarcely pay¬ 
ing for the extra trouble of cultivation. It 
is customary to plant beans after corn and 
potatoes are got in. The first week in June 
is quite early enough in this climate, farther 
north the last of May is perhaps better ; they 
grow quick, and we have seen first rate 
crops gathered from plantings as late as the 
15th of June, in the latitude of 42°. The 
quantity of seed usually allowed per acre, in 
hills, is one peck; in drills, it would re¬ 
quire a little more ; broadcast, one to two 
bushels. Yet this will depend something 
upon the size of the bean used, and the econ¬ 
omy in dropping the seed. Six to seven 
beans should be dropped in each hill, and 
four or five stocks be left to bear ; in drills 
drop the seed every two or three inches, and 
leave a plant every four to six inches. When 
planted in hills, the field may be checked 
out by a light one-horse plow as for corn, 
then drop the seed by hand, and cover with 
a hoe or shovel-plow ; for drills use the hand 
or horse seed-sower, or run the plow about 
two inches deep, then drop as above, or 
from a long-necked bottle, or a tin cup with 
a hole in the bottom and a handle attached 
to it, slightly shaking the cup or bottle as the 
person dropping walks along. Children are 
best for this kind of work, as they are not 
obliged to stoop as much as men, and they 
will do it quite as rapidly and well. After 
dropping cover about two inches deep with 
the hoe, or turn back the furrow with the 
plow. When this is finished, it is best to 
pass a light roller over the ground. For 
drill-planting, there are various machines 
which answer as well for beans as for corn, 
but in stony ground, or a stiff soil, they do 
not cover well. 
After-Culture. —This is very simple, and 
only requires the cultivator to be passed up 
and down the rows at two or three differ¬ 
ent times during the season, for the purpose 
of keeping the weeds down and stirring the 
earth, followed by a slight hilling with the 
hoe or a light plow, throwing the dirt to the 
plants. 
Harvesting. —This should be done in dry 
weather as soon as the bean is well formed, 
and there is no danger of its molding or 
shrinking; if left till touched by a hard frost, 
the pods are liable to crack open, and much 
waste ensues from their shelling. W T hen 
sown broadcast on smooth land, the most 
rapid way of harvesting is by mowing ; when 
