m'^n-^ 'I

. "Z^ Agriculture Handbook No. 285

DRY BEAN PRODUCTION

in the

LAKE

and

NORTHEASTERN

STATES

0 p r-'- .

Agricultural Research Service

UNITED^ STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
CONTENTS

Page

Centers of dry bean production ^

Limiting factors in bean production 5

Importance of good seed '

Seed sources ^

Bean types and varieties ^^

Pea, or Navy ^^

Kidney ^^

Yellow Eye 1^

Miscellaneous ^^

Soil types '-'

Crop rotation ^^

Soil preparation 1^

Fertilization ^0

Inoculation 22

Planting ^^

Cultivation 23

Chemical weed control 24

Harvesting 25

Defoliation 28

Production costs 28

Marketing, cleaning, and grading 29

Diseases 31

Insects 32

This handbook contains information of the type formerly published

in Farmers' Bulletin 2083, "Dry Bean Production in the Eastern

States.''

Trade names are used in this publication solely for the purpose of providing specific information. Mention of a trade name

does not constitute a guarantee or warranty of the product by

the U.S. Department of Agriculture or an endorsement by the

Department over other products not mentioned.

Washington, D.C. Issued August 1965

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office

Washington, D.C, 20402 - Price 15 cents
DRY BEAN PRODUCTION

in the Lake and Northeastern States

By AXEL L. ANDERSEN, Crops Research Division^

AgricuJtural Research Service ^

Dry beans are an important item in the diet of the American people.

They are relatively inexpensive and highly nutritious, being high in

protein (20 to 25 percent), phosphorous, iron, and vitamin Bi. In the

United States, nearly 20 million 100-pound bags are produced annually, and annual consumption is approximately 8 pounds for every

man, woman, and child.

CENTERS OF DRY BEAN PRODUCTION

Nearly half the dry beans produced in the United States come from

central Michigan and western New York (figs. 1 and 2). A small

quantity is produced in central Maine and in neighboring States.^

Tlie remainder is produced in the Western States.

Dry beans are very important as a cash crop. The Michigan crop

is valued at over $50 million annually. The New York crop is valued

at nearly $10 million and the Maine crop at slightly less than $1

million.

Dry bean production is expected to increase to supply the domestic

and foreign markets.

It has increased markedly in Michigan but decreased slightly in

New York and Maine. Of the 9 million bags produced in 1963 in the

three States, Michigan produced 86 percent. New York 13.5 percent,

and Maine 0.5 percent.

Data on dry bean production for Michigan (table 1) and New York

(table 2) from 1957 through 1963 have been summarized to illustrate

the production trends and the importance of the industry in the economy of the two States. Data by varieties are given in table 3.

Michigan ¡produces over 99 percent of all the Pea (Navy) beans ^

grown annually in the United States. Of all the Pea beans sold in the

United States for domestic consumption, 85 percent are sold in cans.

^ The author gratefuUy acknowledges the assistance and suggestions provided

by speciaUsts at the Maine, Michigan, and New York Agricultural Experiment

Stations and in various agencies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and

State departments of agriculture.

^ The central Maine area includes parts of Kennebec, Penobscot, Piscataquis,

and AValdo Counties. Each county harvested less than 500 acres in 1959.

^ In Michigan the Pea bean is commonly referred to as the Navy bean.
MICHIGAN

ACRES

■■ 80,000-1,000,000

tBBB 60,000-80,000

40,000-60,000

20,000-40,000

0,000-20,000

5,000-10,000

F^ 1,000-5,000

500-1,000

FIGURE 1.—Counties in Michigan with more than 500 acres of dry beans,

obtained from the 1960 U.S. Census of Agriculture.

Data

The industry in Michigan is geared to serve the canning trade, not

only in the United States but in the foreign market as well. In 1963,

over 200 million pounds of Pea beans were exported, mostly for

canning.

Michigan-grown Dark Eed and Light Red Kidney beans are sold

for both the dry package and the canning trade. Yellow Eye, Cranberry, Pinto, and other beans are sold in the dry package form.

Only 50 percent of the Red Kidney beans produced in New York

are canned. From 5 to 15 percent are exported, and the remainder

are sold in dry packages. Nearly all the Black Turtle Soup beans are

sold for export. A few are canned and sold as packaged beans. Other

New York varieties are sold mainly as dry beans.
NEW YORK ^.

ACRES

10,000-20,000

5,000-10,000

1,000-5,000

H 500-1,000

FIGURE 2.—Counties in New York with more than 500 acres of dry beans. Data

obtained from the 1960 U.S. Census of Agriculture.

LIMITING FACTORS IN BEAN PRODUCTION

Bean prices, like the prices of other agricultural commodities, vary

from season to season. Varieties that are under Government price

supports tend to fluctuate less in price, except when the supply is low.

Varieties of minor importance, such as Black Turtle Soup, Cranberry,

Wliite Kidney, White Marrow, and Yellow Eye, have limited markets and are not included under the Government price support

program. Hence, their prices fluctuate considerably from year to

year.

TABLE 1.—Acreage, yields production, and value of dry hearts in

MicMgan, 1957-63^

Year Acres

harvested

Yield

per acre

Production 2

Value of

production

1957

1958

1959

1960

1961

1962

1963

1,000 acres

474

536

509

525

541

573

573

Pounds

740

975

1,260

1, 190

1,360

1,290

1,480

1,000 bags

3, 508

5, 226

6,413

6,248

7, 358

7, 392

8,480

1 Source: Michigan Agricultural Statistics Reporting Service.

2 Bags of 100 pounds.

1,000 dollars

27,012

33, 969

35,913

36, 963

47, 091

47,420

51, 000
TABLE 2.—Acreage, yield, production, and value of dry beans in

New York, 1957-63 ^

Year Acres

harvested

Yield

per acre

Production 2

Value of

roduction

1957 _ --_

1,000 acres

104

114

89

96

87

98

82

Pounds

1, 120

1, 150

940

1,270

1, 530

1,300

1,200

1,000 bags

1, 165

1,311

837

1,219

1,331

1,274

984

1,000 dollars

8, 932

1958 9, 541

1959 9,746

1960 8, 777

1961 10, 070

1962_ 8, 876

1963 9, 530

1 Source: Statistical Reporting Service, New York Crop Reporting Service,

Albany, N.Y.

2 Bags of 100 pounds.

TABLE -Dry bean production hy varieties for Michigan and

Neio York, Í96%-S3^

Variety

Michigan New York

1962 1963 1962 1963

Pea (Navy)

1,000 bags 2

6,696

460

75

70

70

1,000 bags 2

7,480

700

100

80

95

1,000 baos 2

30

884

1,000 bags 2

41 Red Kidney 3_ 785 Cranberry

Yellow Eve_ -- 12

Pinto

White Marrow 23

317

11

2ß

Black Turtle Soup 99 Other 21 25 21

Total 7, 392 8,480 1,247 984

1 Source: Michigan Agricultural Statistics Reporting Service, Lansing, Mich

2 In 100-pound bags; cleaned basis.

3 The New York production was mainly Light Red Kidney beans. Michigan

production consisted of 340,000 bags of Dark Red Kidnev beans and 120,000 bags

? ^:l^vi ?T^.i^'^''?^ ^^^^^ ^^ -^^^2^ ^^^ 500,000 Dark Red Kidney and 200,000 Light Red Kidney beans in 1963.

The first factor for the prospective grower to consider is the availability of a bean elevator in the locality for handling and marketing

his beans. The next consideration is the type of bean to grow. This

will be determined by market preference and the ability o'f the dealer

to handle the beans. Many elevators are equipped to handle only one

or two types of beans.

All bean types are not in direct competition with each other. Pinto

beans, for instance, are preferred by people of Mexican descent; most

Yellow Eye beans are marketed in the New England and South

Atlantic States; Cranberry beans are preferred in the Southeast; and

Red Kidney beans are used mainly for canning.
Quality is more important than ever because of the competition

among types of beans. Great Northern and Pea beans compete in the

dry packaging trade throughout the country, but the canning trade

prefers the Pea bean because of its canning qualities. Since quality

is a major factor and since disease and weather conditions influence

quality, the susceptibility of varieties to disease and climate must be

considered in producing dry beans in the Lake and Northeastern

States.

Bean weevil infestations, precipitation, and the occurrence of hot,

dry winds during the flowering season determine the southern limits

of production. Length of the frost-free growing season determines

the northern limits. Because dry beans are a comparatively short

season crop, they are especially adapted to areas where the frost-free

growing season is from 105 to 120 days.

Extensive droughts during the growing season, and especially durmg pod-setting time, can lower the yields considerably. Cool, wet

seasons are also highly unfavorable, because beans are easily injured

by excessive moisture and are subject to attack by diseases that thrive

under these conditions. Hot, dry winds during blossoming may cause

severe blossom drop and hence lower the yield considerably, or they

cause nonuniform ripening of the crop. Plants that lose many of their

first blossom generally set more blooms a week or 10 days later. Beans

are killed by freezing; however, they are adapted to a fairly wide

temperature range. Temperatures between 65° and 75° F. are the

most favorable for bean growing.

Soil types, drainage, crop sequence, and the availability of equipment for growing and harvesting the crop are other factors to be

considered.

Anyone interested in the production of dry beans should consult his

county agricultural agent. Additional information may be obtained

from Extension Service specialists and State agricultural experiment

stations, as well as from industry representatives. Dates of planting,

rates of seeding, fertilizers, crop rotations, and varieties recommended

will vary considerably within an area.

IMPORTANCE OF GOOD SEED

Probably the most critical item in the production of dry beans is

the quality of the seed. A number of important diseases can be carried in or on the seed. These diseases are often responsible for the low

yield and poor quality in beans sold.

Also, mechanical injury, frost damage, and wet weather damage at

harvesttime prevent good germination of seed. Seed damaged by

rough handling during harvest or subsequent processing results in

retarded, nonvigorous, stunted, or baldheaded plants. Electric-eye

sorters remove discolored beans, but not those that have been damaged

mechanically (cracked seedcoats and broken cotyledons).
Many bean o;rowers make the mistake of buyin«^ noncertified seed,

because it is cheaper than certified seed. Noncertified seed may look

clean, but it may be carrying bacterial bliglit or tlie bean common

mosaic virus internally. The seed may also be carrying some anthracnose infection. It would be almost impossible to detect 20 or

30 anthracnose-infected beans in a 100-pound bag of beans. If distributed uniformly throughout the field at planting time, the infected

beans would serve as a source of infection for the other beans in the

field. This could result in heavy crop loss if wet, humid weather

should occur during the growing season. The few extra dollars spent

for certified seed is one of the best investments that can be made to

insure a high-quality crop of better than average yield.

SEED SOURCES

Some of the dry bean seed used in the Lake and Northeastern

States comes from the arid regions of California and Idaho and the

remainder is produced locally. States in which certified seed of the

principal dry bean types and varieties is grown are indicated in

table 4r. All certified seed has passed inspection for disease freedom,

quality, germination, and varietal purity by the seed-certifying agency

in the State in which it was produced. Specifications for certification

vary with the different States, but the standards are high in all States:

thus good-quality seed at the lowest possible cost is assured.

In Michigan, where bacterial blight is present and the annual requirements for Pea bean seed alone is over 20 million pounds, bean

growers have to rely on locally produced seed. By following the

recommended cultural practices for disease control as outlined on page

ol, Michigan seed producers have been able to supply growers with

certified Pea bean seed that is relatively free from bacterial blight and

other seed))ome diseases. This has been accomplished by contracting

for the production of breeders seed in Idaho. The Idaho-grown seed,

in turn, is planted for foundation seed in the upper part of the lower

peninsula of Michigan, in an area away from the principal bean-producing areas in Michigan. The foundation seed fields are thoroughly

inspected for the presence of seedborne diseases and for varietal purity.

The following year the foundation seed is distributed to certified seed

producers throughout the bean area of Michigan. Before harvest, the

prospective certified-seed fields are inspected by the Michigan Crop

Improvement Association, the seed-certifying agency in Michigan. If

acceptable in the field, samples of the cleaned seed must be inspected

in the Crop Improvement Laboratory to be certain the seed meets all

the other requirements for certification.

A similar procedure is used for the production of certified Charlevoix Dark Red Kidney seed (figs, o and 4), but restrictions are greater

as to the areas in which certified seed can be grown. Only seed fields

of the Charlevoix variety located north of an east-Avest line running
TABLE 4.—Principal types and coimnercial varieties of dry beans

groion in the Lake and Northeastern Sf<'fc'^., resistance or susceptihility to certain diseases, and States in loMch certified seed is grown

Common seedborne diseases ^

Anthracnose Bacterial Mosaic 2

strains bhghts State in

which

Type and certified

variety 73tí

Ö 2

«3 lO

CO

seed is

grown

OJ o R pi TH 1—1 1—(

Co

03

(-1 ^

¿

1 1

a a; C3 13 O O o

< « O o w w ffi «

Pea, or Navy

Sanilac R R R S MR R s R Michigan

and New

York.

Seaway S R R S MR R R R Michigan.

Gratiot R R R S MR R R R Michigan.

Michelite S R R S MR R-S R R-S

Michelite-62 S R R S R R S R Michigan

and New

York.

Saginaw R R R s MR R R R Michigan.

Kidney

Cahfornia Light R S S s S S S S Cahfornia

Red Kidney. and

Idaho.

Michigan Dark R S S s S S S S California

Pv.ed Kidney. and

Idaho.

Cahfornia Dark R S s s S s s s California.

Red Kidney.

Charlevoix R R s s s s s s Michigan.

Cahfornia R S s s s s s s California.

White.

Yellow Eye

Xew York or R-S s s s s s s s m.

Michigan

Yellow Eye.

Steuhen Ye how R s s s s s s s New York.

Eye.

New England R s s s s s s s (?)

Yellow Eye.

Miscellaneous i

Black Turtle S R i ^ s s R s s «•

Soup.

Perry Marrow __ R R s s s S s s New York.

Michigan R i ''^' s s s 8 s s California

Cranberry. and

Idaho.

1 1 S =susceptible; R. = resistant; MR. = moderately resistant.

2 Three strains of bean common mosaic attack beans. BCM

holder's strain, attacks varieties resistant to the common BCM

strains of the virus.

3 Seed of this variety not certified.

-15, or ir'urkmcl BCM-r23

im-^^1 o—^65-
BN 23779

FiGUEE 3.—Charlevoix (breeders seed) increase field in Magic Valley near Twin

Falls, Idaho. The environmental conditions in this and certain other areas

make it possible to produce bean seed comparatively free from bacterial blight.

FIGURE 4.-Charlevoix foundation seed field planted in northern lower MkhiSn

from breeders seed produced in Idaho.

10
through Clare County, Mich., are acceptable for certification. However, Charlevoix beans grown north of this line in Huron County are

not eligible for certification.

In New York the official seed-certifying agency for dry beans is the

''New York Certified Seed Growers Cooperative, Incorporated." This

organization is comparable to the Michigan Crop Improvement Association, the official seed-certifying agency in Michigan. In Michigan

and îiew York seed standards are developed cooperatively by those

agencies concerned with certification. These include the colleges of

agriculture and the agricultural experiment stations at the respective

universities, the State seed laboratories, and the State departments of

agriculture.

BEAN TYPES AND VARIETIES

Dry beans vary in shape, size, and color. Figure 5 shows the more

important types grown in the Lake and Northeastern States.

The Pea (Navy) bean is the most economically important type

grown in Michigan. Over 7 million 100-pound bags were produced

in 1963. This was over 99 percent of the Pea beans produced in the

United States. Michigan also produces about 85 percent of Yellow

Eye and 98 percent of Cranberry beans.

Western New York leads in the production of Eed Kidney beans.

That variety accounts for 75 percent of New York bean production.

The Black Turtle Soup variety accounts for another 20 percent. Small

quantities of Pea, White Kidney, Yellow Eye, and White Marrow are

produced.

Yellow Eye is the most economically important bean grown in

Maine.

Other bean varieties occasionally grown in limited quantities in the

Lake and Northeastern States are Eed Mexican, California Pink,

Jacobs Cattle, and Soldier. The last two varieties are grown in

Maine.

Table 4 lists the principal types and varieties of beans grown in

Michigan, New York, and Mame, the diseases to which they are resistant, and the States in which certified seed is grown.

Pea, or Navy

All the Pea bean varieties grown for commercial production except

Michelite were developed and released through cooperative arrangement between the Michigan State University Agricultural Experiment Station and the Crops Eesearch Division, Agricultural Eesearcli

Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Bush types

Bush-type Pea bean varieties have several characteristics in common.

They are upright and produce large numbers of flowers over an exn
tended period. The flowers are produced at the ends of determinant

branches set high on the plant, so the pods are well off the gi'ound at

maturity. The seed is white, round, and uniform. "Screenings" are

considerably less from the bush-type than from the vine-type beans,

because small beans are generally associated with nonuniform ripening

of beans on a vine and the presence of Sclerotinia ^YÏlt (white mold),

which kills the beans prematurely. The number of beans discolored

FIGURE 5.—Principal dry bean types grown in eastern United States : A, Light

Red Kidney; B, Pea (Navy) ; C, Yellow Eye (New England tvpe) ; D, Cranberry ; E, Dark Red Kidney ; F, White Kidney ; G. Marrow ; and H, Yellow Eve

( New York or Michigan type ).

12
BPÍ 23782

FIGURE 6.—Field of Sanilac beans in Bay County, Mich. Note the uprightness

of plants and the location of the flowers. This is characteristic of all bushtype varieties derived from an X-ray mutant bean.

by fungal growth is also much lower in bush-type beans because they

can normally be pulled and threshed the same day. Vine-type beans,

on the other hand, normally have to be pulled at least 1 day before

threshing and are more subject to damage while in the windrow.

The bush-type Pea beans normally escape serious damage from

white mold or Sclerotinia wilt except during seasons of very high

relative humidities. The reason is that the foliage does not ordinarily

form a canopy over the row, as does the foliage of vine-type beans.

The improved aeration between the rows and around the plants lowers

the relative humidity and creates an environment less favorable for

infection and development of the fungus.

The history of the varietal development is also similar. Thus the

Sanilac and Seaway varieties were developed concurrently in a backcrossing program in which the recurrent parents were selections obtained from a cross between a small, early maturing, bush-type mutant

bean (obtained by treating Michelite seed with X-ray) and the Michelite variety. The Gratiot variety is a selection from a cross between

Sanilac and a bush selection similar to Seaway.

Sanilac.—Sanilac * (fig. 6) is a high-yielding, upright, midseason

bush bean released in 1956. Tlie plants vary from 14 to 21 inches in

height and produce short determinant runners up to 14 inches in

length. The variety blooms in approximately 42 days and matures in

about 88 days. It is resistant to the alpha, beta, and gamma races of

the fungus that causes anthracnose and to bean common mosaic virus

' Cover photo shows harvesting of a field of certified Sanilac beans near Saginaw, Mich.

13
races 1 and 123 (BCM-1 and BCM-123). Sanilac is susceptible to

BCM-15. It has field resistance to halo blight but it is susceptible to

common and fuscous bacterial blights.

Sanilac is an F4BC2 selection from a three-way cross in which a

bush-type mutant was the principal recurrent parent. Other bean

materials involved in the cross include a selection from Robust X

Crawford, Emerson 847, and Emerson 53.

Seaway.—Seaway (fig. 7) is a higli-yielding, upright, short-season

bush bean released in 1960. The plants vary from 13 to 19 inches in

height. Unlike Sanilac, no short determinant runners are produced.

The variety blooms in about 39 days and matures in about 79 days.

Seaway is resistant to bean common mosaic virus races 1, 15, and

123, but is susceptible to the alpha race of the fungus that causes

anthracnose. It has field resistance to halo blight.

Seaway is an F4BC4 selection from a cross in which a bush-type

mutant Pea bean developed by X-ray was a recurrent parent in a

backcrossing program. Topcrop, a mosaic-resistant snap bean with

the dominant or Corbett Refugee type resistance to bean common

mosaic, was used as the initial parent to procure resistance.

^r. ' ^è^■■':./eC: !V*^"^-':^-';^'

FIGURE i.-Field of Seaway beans in Tuscola County, Mich., planted in 38-inch

rows. Plants are approximately 8 weeks old.

14
Gmf¡of.~Gr¿\úot is a hio:li-yieldiiio:, uprio-ht, midseason bush bean

released in 1962. It resembles Sanilac in most of its characteristics

but has certain improvements. For example, it is the first bush-type

bean that successfully combines resistance to two major bean diseases

anthracnose and mosaic. In addition, it has superior growth habit

and canning quality.

Gratiot is a sixth generation from a cross between Sanilac (anthracnose resistant) and a high-yielding, mosaic-resistant, stiff-strawed,

upright bush selection with excellent canning quality. It is resistant

to the alpha, beta, and gamma races of the fungus that causes antliracnose and to bean common mosaic virus races 1, 15, and 123. It is also

resistant to halo blight.

Vine types

MicheUte.—]Michelite is a late-maturing bean that is grown in limited quantities in Xew York and Michigan. It is only partly resistant

to bean common mosaic virus 1 (BCM-1). It is less tolerant to diseases that attack Pea beans than are any of the varieties described

earlier. In the Michigan Seed Certification program, it has been

replaced with Michelite-62.

Michel, ite-62.—Michelite-62 is a uniform-maturing, full-season bean

selected from the old Michelite variety and released in 1961. It is

fully resistant to bean common mosaic virus races 1 and 123 but is

susceptible to race 15. It is susceptible to anthracnose but is fairly

tolerant to common bacterial blight. It has field resistance to halo

blight.

Saginrnc.—Saginaw is a high-yielding, disease-resistant, midseason,

vine-type bean released in 1961. This variety matures 4 or 5 days

earlier than does Michelite-62 and has excellent canning qualities.

The plants stand up well and hold the pods well off the ground. The

thin-walled pods.thresh easily.

SaginaAv is a selection from a cross involving two other plant selections, one w^ith anthracnose resistance and the other with bean common mosaic resistance. Hence, it is fully resistant to two major bean

diseases. In addition, it is capable of producing a crop of beans on

soils with low quantities of available zinc (see discussion of zinc

deficiency, p. 20).

Kidney

California Light Red Kidney (Red Kidney 7811),—California

Light Red Kidney was introduced in 1937 by the California Agricultural Experiment Station. It was developed from a cross l^etween

Nagazura and Red Kidney backcrossed to Red Kidney.

Michigan Dark Red Kidney.—Michigan Dark Red Kidney is an old

variety commonly grown in Michigan. Because it is very susceptible

to bacterial blight and anthracnose, planting w^estern-grown seed is

recommended.

15
Calífonva Darl: Red A^/V//?^?/.—California Dark Red Kidney was

developed and released by the California Ao^ricultural Experiment

Station. It is a selection from a cross l)etween Michio^an Dark Red

Kidney and Maui.

Charlevoix.—C\vàv\(èYO\^ (fio:s. 3 and 4) is an upright, dark red

kidney bean with lono- slender pods. It was developed by the Michigan

State X"^niversity Agricultural Experiment Station and the U.S. Depai1:ment of Agriculture and Avas released in 1960. In Michigan this

variety matures 7 to 14 days earlier than California Dark Red Kidney.

It is resistant to the beta race of fungus that causes anthracnose in

Red Kidney beans, a disease that formerly caused heavy losses to

Michigan Dark Red Kidney beans. It makes a high-quality canned

product.

The Charlevoix variety is a sixth generation selection from the cross

Michigan Dark Red Kicbiey X Brazilian Red Kichiey.

CitViforiria ^yhHe /r/r//?^.?/.—California AAHiite Kidney is a selection

made from the old AVhite Kidney variety. It was released by the

California Agricultural Experiment Station in 1943.

Yellow Eye

yeir Yorli or Michigan TeUoir Eye,—New York or Michigan Yellow Eye is a large, white, round to oblong bean. It is an old variety

with a large, yellow, oval spot on the hilum Ç'eye'' of bean).

Steiiheii.—Steuben is a selection made from the old New York or

^Michigan Yellow Eye by the New York Agricultural Experiment

Station. It was released in 1960. The variety has a slightly larger

and more uniform seed and is a better yielder than is the parent

variety.

Neu: England YelJoio Eye.—New England Yellow Eye or OldFashioned Yellow Eye has an irregular yellow pattern around the

hilum. The pattern consists of a narrow strip of pigment from the

front of the micropyle to the apex of the bean and extends around

the micropyle. It forms a horseshoe around the anterior end of the

hilum. Furthermore, broad wings extend forward along the sides

of hilum from behind the canmcle.

Miscellaneous

Black Turtle Soap.—Black Turtle Soup (or Yenezuelan) is a black

l:)ean grown in limited quantities in New York.

Perry Marroir.—Perry Marrow is a large, white bean developed by

tlie Agricultural Experiment Station of Cornell University and released to seed companies in 1921 for propagation. It was derived

from a cross between Wells Red Kidney and Wliite Marrow. In 1942

tlie seed on tlie market was found to be a mixture of Perry Marrow,

Pea, and other white beans. Reselections were made by the Cornell
Station and planted in the field in rmvs. The strain of Perry Marrow

grown for certification resulted from an increase of these selections.

Michigan Cranberry.—Michigan Cranberry is an old variety of the

Horticultural type. It is grown largely in Michigan.

Jacobs Cattle.—Jacobs Cattle is a large, red and white mottled bean

produced in Maine.

Soldier.—Soldier is a large, white bean with a small brownish red

"soldier" pattern around the hilum. It is somewhat more kidney

shaped and longer than is New England Yellow Eye. Soldier is

grown in Maine.

SOIL TYPÉS

Dry beans are suited to many soil types. They grow best in well

drained, sandy loam, silt loam, or clay loam soils high in organic

content. They are very sensitive to excessive soil moisture ; under this

condition they are susceptible to diseases. Standing water will injure

the plants in a few hours. Where drainage is poor, tile drains are

essential to the production of good yields. Sandy soils are not well

suited for bean production; but by building up the organic content,

soils of this class produce good yields.

CROP ROTATION

Some system of crop rotation or croj) diversification is usually necessary to maintain high yields and quality of beans. A rotation with

at least 3- or 4-year intervals between bean plantings on any one field

is a good practice. Successive cropping of beans is hazardous, because

of the danger of losses from diseases whose organisms are able to

survive in the soil or on plant refuse in the soil. For U\ç^ same reason,

it is risky to spread bean straw or manure from bean straw onto land

immediately before beans are planted.

Although the bean is a legume, other legumes, such as alfalfa, sweetclover, red clover, and alsike clover, are grown in the bean rotation to

supply nitrogen and to replenish the organic matter in the soil. Dry

beans normally deplete the soil nitrogen, even though nitrogen-producing bacteria develop in nodules on the root system. However,

they take less nitrogen out of the soil than do many other row crops.

A standard recommendation for rotations in the Lake and Northeastem States is one or two row crops followed by small grains seeded to

a hay, pasture, or green-manure crop.

Crop sequence within a rotation is important in bean production.

Planting beans after certain crops may reduce the severity of bean

root rot and may increase yields. Investigations in Michigan suggest

that beans should follow corn, wheat, or a green-manure crop. A

much higher incidence of root rot occurred when beans followed barley

and when beans followed beans.

17
Crop sequence can also affect the expression of certain nutrient

deficiencies. For example, zinc deficiency is much more noticeable in

some varieties of beans planted after sugarbeets (fig. 8). The yields

of beans that show zinc-deficiency symptoms are also lower. Nutrient

deficiencies can be corrected by incorporating minor elements with the

fertilizers and applying them at planting time (fig. 9).

^

_ _ BN 23784

FIGURE 8.—Sanilac beans in Saginaw County, Mich., in 1960. A. Normal plants

following ^vheat; B. zinc-defirient plants following sugarbeets in the rotation.

(Plants in A were in the row next to B.)

18
.-*',í--,.*V,'.'.W-- ^ *s^''*^''

f-f t f

BN 23785

FIGURE 9.—Field of Sanilac beans growing in allcallne soils in Bay County, Mich.,

to which zinc sulfate was applied at planting time. Two center rows did not

receive zinc.

Wlien dry beans follow a leguminous green-manure crop in a rotation, the green-manure crop should be turned under before May 15.

Sweetclover should be plowed under when it is 8 to 14 inches high.

During seasons of subnormal spring rainfall, delaying the plowing

under of the green-manure crop may damage the bean crop, because

the green-manure crop may use most of the available soil moisture.

SOIL PREPARATION

The same farm machinery is used to prepare the soil for planting

beans as is used for other row crops. Although the steps involved in

preparing the land for seeding may vary according to the previous

crop and the soil type, establishment of a friable seedbed is the best

means for conserving soil moisture.

If a green-manure crop is not to be turned under, the type of soil

and the terrain determine to a great extent the time to plow. Fall

plowing usually provides a more friable seedbed in heavy soil. If

there is danger of wind erosion and water runoff during the winter

months, it is better to wait until spring to plow. A field cultivator

or a chisel-type cultivator plow may be substituted for the conventional plow.

After the field is plowed, the disk and harrow are used to level the

seedbed and control weeds. If the field was plowed early, secondary

tillage to control weeds is usually necessary. Avoid packing the soil

by excessive preparation with heavy farm equipment.

19
FERTILIZATION

Maximum bean yields cannot be obtained unless an adequate and

balanced quantity of plant food minerals are present. Where the soil

cannot supply the elements necessary for high yields, commercial fertilizer should be used.

To detennine the amount and kind of fertilizer needed, the soil

should be tested for available soil nutrients. Fertilizer recommendations are based on the results of soil tests, soil classification, previous

cropping history, crop to be grown, and expected yield per acre. New

York bean growers should follow the fertilizing recommendations

pi'esented in the publication entitled "Vegetable Production Recommendations," which is published annually and cooperatively by the

New York State College of Agriculture, Cornell University, Ithaca,

N.Y., and the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station,

Geneva, N.Y. Michigan bean growers should follow the directions

given in Michigan State University Extension Folder F-278, "How

To Take Accurate Soil Samples," and Extension Bulletin E-159,

"Fertilizer Recommendations for Michigan Crops." Information on

soil classification can be obtained from published county soil survey

maps and reports that are available at the county offices of the Extension Service and the Soil Conservation Service.

The need for fertilizers depends not only on the natural fertility

of the soil, but on the other crops grown in the cropping system and

the fertilizers applied to these crops. Liquid fertilizers, which are

gaining in popularity in many areas, are just as effective as solid fertilizers, provided they are used correctly. The recommended placement of fertilizers for beans is 1 or 2 inches to the side and 2 inches

below the seed. The seed should not be in contact with the fertilizers,

because bean seed is very easily injured when it comes in direct contact

with fertilizer.

BN 23788

FIGURE 10.—Zinc deficiency in beans over tile line.s where calcareous subsoils

have been brought to surface during tiling operations.

20
Zinc deficiency (figs. 8, 9, and 10) is becoming increasingly noticeable in beans gro\Yn on the alkaline soils of the lake bed areas in Michigan. Zinc deficient plants are stunted; have shortened intemodes;

show excessive branching; and have small, somewhat pointed leaves

that are often distorted and necrotic along the edges. The deficiency

is especially noticeable in beans grown over tile lines, on spoil banks

where calcareous subsoil is mixed in with the surface soil, and in beans

that follow sugarbeets. Zinc-deficient soils should be supplied with

3 to 4 pounds of zinc per acre, applied in the band fertilizer. As a

preventive. 1 pound of zinc per acre is suggested. Michigan bean

growers should be on the alert for new recommendations on the use

of zinc in their fertilizer program—optimum rates, methods of formulation, and methods of application.

Manganese deficiency (fig. 11) frequently occurs in Michigan soils

with a pH of 6.5 or higher. It may be corrected by including manganese in the fertilizer. Commercial fertilizer containing 1, 2, or 5

percent of manganese may be bought. The fertilizer should contain

enough manganese to supply 5 to 10 pounds per acre.

When plant leaves show manganese or zinc deficiency, foliar sprays

may be tried. Water-soluble manganese sulfate should be applied at

a rate of 3 to 6 pounds per acre, and zinc sulfate at a rate of 1 to 2

pounds per acre. The nutrients may be mixed and applied in as little

as 30 gallons of water per acre. Zinc foliar sprays are often inetfective.

Nitrogen deficiency may occur in some rotations. It may be prevented by applying 30 to 40 pounds of nitrogen per acre when the

plants have two or three true leaves.

Detailed information on the use of fertilizers in your locality may

be obtained from your county agent, from Extension Service specialists

at the land-grant college or university in your State, or from your

State agricultural experiment station.

FIGURE 11.—Normal Sanilac bean leaves (left) compared with manganesedeficient Sanilac bean leaves (right).

21
INOCULATION

Artificial inoculation of bean seed with nitro<ren-fixing bacteria is

considered of no advantage. Tests in :Michio-an, Xew York, and elsewhere on both old and new bean soil liave sliown no benefits from seed

inoculation.

PLANTING

A corn, bean, or beet drill with removable plates is generally used

to plant beans (fig. 12). Beans should be planted only deep enough

to obtain good coverage and sufficient moisture to promote fast germination and growth. If the beans are planted too deep, they may be

damaged by seed decay and damping-off organisms and may be injured

l>v the seed-corn maggot as a result of delayed emergence.

Weather reports giving weekly forecasts should l)e helpful to the

bean grower in determining how and when to plant. The temperature

for the period after planting should be warm (above 65° F.), so the

beans can germinate quickly. If the season is dry and tliere is little

moisture in tlie surface soils and no immediate prospect of rain, the

seeding rate should be increased and the beans should be planted in

contact with moisture even if this is 3 to 4 inches deep. Contact with

moisture will assure ciuick germination. On the other hand, if there

is a forecast of heavy rains and the soil is fine in texture, the beans

should be planted shallow ( 1 to II/2 inches). If tlie forecast is for cold

and wet weather they should not be planted until the weather is

favorable.

Planting dates vary in different localities. However, beans should

not be planted until the soil temperature is above 65° F., a temperature

tliat will assure inmiediate germination and emergence. All conditions

BN 23788

FIGURE 12.—Planting beans with a four-row drill. With a planting drill of this

type, fertilizer can be banded 1 or 2 inches to the side and 2 inches below the

seed. Attachments for banding systemic insecticides are easily mounted on

this equipment.

22
that favor rapid germination and emergence will minimize the

damages from fungus and insect injury. Generally, field beans are

planted from May 25 to June 15 in the Lake and Northeastern States.

If root rot is a problem, planting should be delayed until the soil is

warm (June 5 or later). Short-season beans are available in the Pea

bean types; they can be planted the latter part of June and still mature

in those areas where the average frost date is September 20 to 30.

Eow widths of 28, 30, and 32 inches are ordinarily recommended.

The width most common in the Lake and Northeastern States is 28

inches. In experiments conducted in Michigan over a 6-year period,

it was found that beans grown in 28-inch rows yielded only slightly

less than those grown in 21- and 24-inch rows; the difference was not

appreciable. Even increasing row width to 32 and 36 inches did not

lower yield appreciably for Seaway, Sanilac, and Michelite varieties.

By using wider row spacings, beans, corn, and sugarbeets can all be

planted in rows of the same width and the same tractor may be used

in planting and cultivating the three crops with a minimum of adjustment between crops. The time and labor saved may offset any

lower yields which may occur. Figure 7 shows Seaway beans planted

in 38-inch rows. The grower has been planting beans and com in

38-inch rows.

Planting rates depend on variety, seed size, and width of row.

Following are the rates recommended by New York and Michigan

for rows 28 to 32 inches wide :

state and variety Pounds of seed

per acre

New York :

Red Kidney, Marrow, Yellow Eye 75 to 100

Pea, Black Turtle Soup 30 to 40

Michigan :

Red Kidney 80

Yellow Eye, Cranberry 60

Pea 30 to 40

Although these rates are considered too heavy by many growers,

they increase the chances of a good stand if there is much danger from

damping-off or the seed-corn maggot, or if the ground becomes

crusted.

CULTIVATION

The main purpose of cultivation is weed control. Weeds are readily

destroyed shortly after their emergence. At this stage, little root

development has taken place. Weed control should begin during the

preparation of the seedbed and should continue after the beans are

planted. Special weeders or a spike-tooth harrow may be used from

the second or third day after planting until the plants are 4 to 5 inches

tall. These implements should not be used at the time the plants are

emerging from the ground and while the stems still have the crook

23
in them. At this stage the plants are brittle and easily injured.

Furthermore, the weeders should be used in the afternoons or when

the plants are less turgid and brittle, and therefore are less easily

broken.

If heavy rains pack the soil so the beans cannot emerge, the soil

surface should be loosened with a spike-tooth harrow, a rotary hoe,

or weeder to prevent complete loss of the beans.

Do not cultivate more frequently or deeply than is necessary to

control the weeds (fig. 13). Cultivate with care late in the season,

so as to avoid injuring the roots extending out between the rows just

beneath the soil surface. Injury to the feeding roots at blossoming

and pod-setting time may cause wilting of the plant, blossom and pod

drop, and an eventual reduction in yield.

Thorough cultivation does not always remove all the weeds in a

field. Weeds not removed by cultivating equipment should be removed with a sharp hoe or cut with a corn knife. Weeds not only

interfere with crop growth but also hinder harvesting and curing of

the beans.

Never cultivate beans while they are wet from either dew or rain,

because disease organisms are more easily carried from plant to plant

by farm implements when the plants are wet.

CHEMICAL WEED CONTROL

Chemical weed control is recommended where weeds are difficult

to control by other methods.

FIGURE 13.—Cultivating Pea beans planted in 2S-incli rows, using a fou

cultivator.

24

BN 23789

r-row
EPTC ^ has been used successfully by several growers in Michigan

to control annual Aveeds on Red Kidney and Pea beans. It should be

applied before planting at a rate of 3 pounds per acre. Since the

material is extremely volatile, it should be worked into the soil immediately after application. The most successful users applied the

material as a spray immediately ahead of the harrow or disk. New

York recommends EPTC for Red Kidney beans only and in the

granular form at a rate of 3 pounds of active ingredients per acre.

This is equivalent to 60 pounds of 5-percent granular material per acre.

Tliey suggest using it on a trial basis on other bean varieties.

DNBP ^ amine salt can be used as a preemergence spray to control

annual weeds. If applied immediately after planting, it should be

used at a rate of 41/0 pounds per acre (I14 gallons of liquid concentrate). But if applied just before emergence, it should be used at a

rate of only 3 pounds per acre (1 gallon of liquid concentrate). To

reduce costs, the material can be applied in a band spray. DNBP is

not effective when the soil is dry. Before applying granular material,

growers should determine how much active chemical they wish to

apply per acre ; then they should apply it at a uniform rate—the same

amount of active chemical on each acre.

Sow thistle and Canada thistle have always been a menace to bean

growers. Many growers have successfully controlled these perennial

weeds by applying 14 to lA pound of actual 2,4-D "^ per acre, 6 to 10

days before planting. This practice is not recommended, however,

because, under certain conditions, the compound may injure the plants

and clehiy maturity. Furthermore, if EPTC is applied to the same

field, interactions between the two chemicals may injure the plants.

The effects of chemicals on both beans and weeds depend on soil type,

moisture, temperature, and type and variety of beans. For this reason, it is advisable to consult your county agricultural agent. Extension Service specialist, or State agricultural experiment station before

attempting to use herbicides on beans.

HARVESTING

Harvesting is a crucial stage in bean production. To keep the

period between pulling and threshing (or combining) as short as possible, harvesting should be delayed until most of the pods are dry and

the beans have hardened. Although high temperature and humidity

sometimes damage mature beans while they are standing in the field,

these conditions generally cause greater and more frequent losses while

the crop is curing in windrows or bunches. The more immature the

crop is at the time of pulling, the longer the plants have to remain

^ Chemical name : Ethyl N,N-di-n-propylthiocarl)amate.

^ Chemical name : 4,6-dinitro-o-sec-'butylphenol.

'^ Chemical name : 2,^-dichlot^oplienoxyacetic acid.

25
on the ground to mature, and the greater are the chances that the beans

may become moldy and discolored.

With modern equipment, two men can harvest 20 or 30 acres of dry

beans in 1 day. The beans are cut below the surface of the ground

with large steel blades mounted on a tractor (fig. 14), a process referred to as pulling beans. Pulling is followed by windrowing. Many

growers use a one-man tractor-drawn j^uller-windrower that pulls the

beans, elevates them and shakes off the stones and soil, and windroAvs

them all in one operation (fig. 15.) After the beans have cured, a oneman self-propelled combine threshes them directly from the windrow

and discharges them into a tiiick driven alongside (fig. 16).

The bush-type Pea bean varieties (Sanilac, Seaway, and Gratiot)

were developed to shorten the time necessary to leave the beans in the

windrow, or possibly to eliminate this need. If beans are left standing until all the plants are mature and the beans have dried down in

the pods, then the beans can be pulled and windrowed during the

morning hours while the plants are damp and the pods are tough.

This will reduce shattering of the beans. Pulling is immediately followed by windrowing before the plants have a chance to dry out.

Later in the morning or early afternoon the beans should be ready for

threshing. Care should be taken not to pull more beans in the morning than can be readily threshed in the afternoon and eveninof.

The vine-type Pea beans and colored bean varieties ordinarily cannot be pulled and threshed the same day. Curing can be speeded up

by turning the beans in the windrow daily, either by hand or with

the windrower. In fair weather most bean varieties are cured in a

day or two and are then ready for threshing.

T-, BN 23790

.^ IGUBE 14.—Four-row tractor-mounted cutting blades for harvesting beans.

Beans are cut about 1 inch below ground.

26
ABN 23791

FIGURE 15.—Pulling and windrowing Sanilac beans in Michigan with a harvester

and an attached windrower.

BN 23792

FiGTJEE 16.—Threshing beans from the windrow with a self-propelled combine.

Trucks can be loaded without stopping the combine, and the beans can be

hauled to farm storage bins or local elevators.

The windrow method of curing works well if the weather is favorable. Occasionally wet, humid weather sets in during harvesting, and

additional curing is needed. Well-made stacks built around posts in

the field allow the beans to complete their curing from newly windrowed plants.

The stacking procedure is as follows : Drive a 7-foot steel fencepost

or heavy stake firmly into the ground. Place a 1-foot layer of clean

straw around the post, making a circle about 3 feet in diameter. Build

the bean stack around the post with straight sides to a height of at

least 2 feet above the top of the post. The sides may be 6 inches wider

at the top than at the bottom.

27
A maximum of high-quality beans can be obtained by stacking,

even though the beans are harvested l^efore they are uniformly ripe.

The groAver should take the utmost precautions to prevent injury

to the beans during harvest. Beans with cracked seedcoats are desirable neither for cannino; nor for seed. In fact, commercial canning:

companies refuse to accept beans with a large number of cracked seedcoats. Constant vigilance is required on the part of the combine

operator, who must adjust the speed of tlie cylinder so that all the

beans are threshed but not injured. The drier the beans, the more

easily they are threshed and the more easily they are injured. Since

the amount of moisture in the beans can change considerably during

the day, frequent adjustments may be necessary. Investigations at

Michigan State university showed that spraying the beans in the

windrow delays drying out during the day and reduces the damage

that occurs to beans in the combine. Placing a damp, absorbent material, such as damp sawdust or damp corncobs, to dry beans in the combine hopper, truck, or bin adds sufficient moisture and weight to the

beans in 2 hours to prevent further damage in handling.

DEFOLIATION

is^ormally, it is not necessary to use chemical defoliants in field bean

production. However, natural defoliation is sometimes delayed or

does not occur uniformly on plants in the field. ^Vhere this is true,

chemical defoliants are desirable. They speed up ripening and assi^

in uniform maturing of the crop.

Commercial formulations containing magnesium chlorate or sodium

chlorate and small quantities of boron or magnesium chloride should

be applied at a time when the leaves are coloring and the beans in the

pod are well developed. The defoliant should be applied when temperatures are above 60° F. and no rain is expected for at least 6 hours.

Chemical defoliants will probably be used to a much larger extent

should direct combining from the standing row become feasible.

PRODUCTION COSTS

What does it cost to produce an acre of dry beans? Eesearchers in

Mame and New York determined the costs in 1958 and researchers in

Michig^in in 1962. The Maine values are for Yellow Eye production,

New York for Light Red Kidney production, and Micliigan for Pea

bean production. The growing and harvesting costs, which include

all fixed and variable costs, for Maine were $111.74 per acre. This

included a cleaning (picking) cost of $14.52. Michigan's $67.90 cost

per acre for dry bean production is based on estimated costs and

returns from Sanilac County. New York sampled the Cayuga-Seneca

Counties area, where the costs were $77.65 per acre, and the LivingstonWyommg Counties area, where the costs were $92.77 per acre.
MARKETING, CLEANING, AND GRADING

The quality of the crop and the pric^ at harvesttime determine for

most farmers whether they market the beans promptly after threshing

or store them on the farm. Many farmers, however, consistently follow one practice year after year regardless of price at harvesttime.

Limited space is available in most areas for commercial storage of

beans for fanners. Most commercial space is used by elevator interests

to store the beans they buy at harvesttime for processing and sale

throughout the rest of the year.

Since the combine has come into general use for harvesting beans,

most beans are delivered to country elevators in bulk by truck. The

beans are then weighed, sampled to determined quality and price, and

dumped into a pit for elevation into the elevator.

Pea beans are purchased from farmers on the basis of the price for

Choice Hanclpicked grade. The sample from a farmer's load is

"picked" to sort the good beans from the splits, discolored beans, stones,

straw, and other foreign material. The amount paid to the farmer

for the load is determined by multiplying the original net weight of

liis delivery in pounds minus the weight of the ''pick'' by the price per

pound for Choice Handpicked grade. From this price is subtracted

a picking charge per pound, which varies from year to j^ear, and

depends on relative costs of operation.

Most countr}' elevators process the beans by putting them over a

cleaner, stoner, and jigger or gravity mill, the extent of their processing depending upon their facilities and the quality of the crop.

The condition of beans on hand largely determines the degree of

processing and the method of disposal of the beans by the country

elevator man. Following crops of good quality, he is often able to

process the beans sufficiently to meet the standard for No. 1 grade for

screened beans (see below) and ship direct to merchants and large

users in 100-pound bags. But when beans are of low quality and a

high proportion must be picked out because of discoloration, the country elevator man ma}^ not be able economically to process his beans

sufficiently to meet the higher grades. In this case he ships them in

bulk carloads to major processing terminals at which electric-eye sorting machines pick the beans to a Choice Handpicked grade.

Beans are graded according to their quality by private. State, and

Federal inspectors. The State bean shippers associations maintain

their own inspection services for their members, but these are not

official so far as the State and Federal departments are concerned.

The State of New York adopted the United States Standards for inspection, whereas the State of Michigan uses two standards, one based

on State regulations and the other on Federal regulations. The percentage of total defects permitted under United States Standards for

beans are given below.

29
Percentage of defeets {splits, damaged

U.S. Grade heans, contracting clasf^es, and foreign material)* permitted'^

Hanclpicked or specially processed beans : -

U.S. Choice Handpicked 1.5

U.S. No. 1 Handpicked 2.0

U.S. No. 2 Handpicked 4.0

U.S. No. 3 Handpicked 6. 0

Screened beans : '^

U.S. No. 1 2.0

U.S. No. 2 4.0

U.S. No. 3 6.0

^ Data obtained from Consumer and Marketing Serv^ice, U.S. Department of

Agriculture, Revised United States Standards for Beans (effective Sept. 1, 1959).

" Except Blackeye, Cranberry, and the various classes of lima beans.

^ Cranberry bean standards are 4.0, 6.0, and 8.0 percent, and Pinto bean

standards are 3.5, 5.0, and 8.0 percent, for U.S. Nos. 1, 2, and 3, respectively.

Two additional U.S. Standard grades of screened beans are U.S'.

Substandard and U.S. Sample. The U.S. Substandard grade includes

those beans that do not meet the requirements of the U.S. îsTos. 1, 2,

and 3 or the U.S. Sample. The U.S. Sample grade includes beans

of any of the classes that are musty, sour, heating, materially weathered, weevily, or are otherwise of low quality.

Michigan State standards are used in the sale of all Michigan beans

except those that are sold to State agencies outside Michigan, to

Federal agencies, and for export (unless inspection imder Michigan

standards of beans for export is requested). The percentage of total

defects permitted under Michigan Standards for áxj edible beans is

given below.

... _. ^ ^ Percentage of defects {splits, damaged

Michigan G-rade beans, contrasting classes, ayid foreign material) permitted^

Handpicked beans : -

Michigan Choice Handpicked 1. 5

Michigan Prime Handpicked 3. 0

Screened beans : ^

Michigan No. 1 2 0

Michigan No. 2 3 0

'Data obtained from Michigan Department of Agriculture Regiüation No.

523, May 15, 1959.

' Cranberry and YeUow Eye beans may contain an additional 2 percent spUt,

but otherwise sound beans of the same class in any of the established grades.

Total maximum tolerance for defects in Kidney beans shaU be 2 percent in the

Choice Handpicked and No. 1 grades and 4 percent in Prime Handpicked and No. 2

grades.

An additional Michigan screened beans grade is Michigan Picking

Stock. It includes beans that do not meet the speciñcations for any

of the established grades.

30
AU beans, except those shipped as "picking stock" from one bean

plant to another for further processing, must be inspected before shipment by a licensed bean inspector supervised by the State department

of agriculture and must carry an inspection certificate citing the grade.

In Michigan the Department of Agriculture supervises the inspection service on the basis of an agreement or contract with the Michigan

Bean Shippers Association. These two agencies jointly (and solely)

conduct the inspection service on the basis of official Michigan grades

and standards. The same bean inspectors that are licensed by the

Michigan Department of Agriculture also do th^ inspection work

that is based on U.S. standards. This is made possible by means of

a three-way agreement between the U.S. Department of Agriculture,

the Michigan Department of Agriculture, and the Michigan Bean

Shippers Association. The latter organization is located in Saginaw,

Älich.

Three colored types—Red Kidney, Cranberry, and Yellow Eye—

are handled in most respects like Pea beans, except they are bought on

the basis of No. 1 grade and for the most part are processed to No. 1

grade.

Cull beans usually find a market among livestock feeders or feed

manufacturers. Split beans become a sales problem, especially in dry

years, when the handling and processing cause a high percentage of

splits.

DISEASES

In some years, losses to bean growers from disease infestations

amount to several million dollars. Some bean growers have sustained

complete loss from disease.

In general, losses caused by bean diseases can be held to a minimum

by following these cultural practices: (1) Plant disease-resistant varieties when available; (2) use disease-free seed (certified seed is recommended) ; (3) practice at least a 3- or 4-year crop rotation; (4)

keep fields clean by plowing under bean refuse; (5) avoid working

in beanfields while they are wet; (6) treat the seed with recommended

chemicals to prevent damping-oflF, seed decay, and seed-corn maggot

injury. Airborne diseases can be controlled by spraying the field with

chemical fungicides.

Because seed infection is not easily detected in colored beans, scrutinize colored beans before planting. Obtain certified seed if it is available.

The economically important diseases of beans are described fully

in Agriculture Handbook 225, "Bean Diseases—How To Control

Them." A copy of this handbook can be obtained by writing to the

Office of Information, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington,

D.C., 20250.

31
INSECTS

For information on insects affecting the dry bean crop in the Lake

and Northeastern States, and on current recommendations for insect

control, call or write your county agricultural agent, your State agricultural extension service or agricultural experiment station, or the

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C., 20250.

PRECAUTIONS

Herbicides are poisonous to man and animals. Use them only when

needed and handle them with care. Follow the directions and heed

all precautions on the labels.

Keep herbicides in closed, well-labeled containers in a dry place.

Store them Ts^here they will not contaminate food or feed, and where

children and pets cannot reach them.

Avoid repeated or prolonged contact of herbicides with the skin.

Avoid inhalation of herbicide dusts or mists.

Avoid spilling herbicides on your skin, and keep them out of the

eyes, nose, and mouth. If any is spilled on skin or clothing, wash

it off the skin and change clothing immediately.

^v^Hien handling herbicides, wear clean, dry clothing.

Wash your hands and face before eating or smoking and immediately after completing herbicide application.

To protect fish and wildlife, do not contaminate lakes, streams, or

ponds with herbicide. Do not clean spraying equipment or dump

excess spray material near such water.

To minimize losses of honeybees and other pollinating insects,

make herbicide applications, when possible, during hours when the insects are not visiting the plants. Avoid drift of herbicides sprays to

nearby crops or livestock. Avoid drift of herbicides into bee yards.

Empty containers are particularly hazardous. Burn empty bags and

:arciboard containers in the open or bury them. Crush and bury

jotties or cans.

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1965 O—769-267