Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1842-04-02
EDwARpsvILLE, Feb. 3, 1912.

EDwARDsv1LLE, Feb. 3, 1912.
Messrs. Joseph CharlesS d. Co., Wholesale Drug
gusts, 81. Louis.
GENTLEMEN:-In compliance with your request
| we hereby give to you, as far able, the
manner Of raising and gathering the Castor Bean
The soil best adapted for the Castor Bean is
loose, light and rich soil, and is better when it is
fresh or new ground. The ground should be pre-.
pared pretty much as it is for corn--the rows
should be laid off, say four feet apart, and they
may be cultivated with one set of rows to be
| ploughed but one way, or the ground may be laid
off in rows so as to cross plough. Between every
fourth fifth row a space of six or eight feet
should be left so as to afford room for the vehicle
in which the crop is gathered, to pass. The crop
should be planted as early as it can be, SO not
to be endangered by frost. They ought to be
planted by the 18th April, and may be put in as
late as 10th of May. About three-fourtbs Of
bushel Of beans are required to seed 10 acres o
ground. Some farmers put or 10 seed in hill,
so as to be sure of getting good stand and if
they come up thick, they cut them out. One and
two stalks are left in hill. Some will not leave
but one. If the soil is very fertile and the rows
feet apart, we suppose two may be left in hill.
1t is not necessary to leave gangways, but one
way through the field between every fourth and
fifth rows, as before stated.
The farmer must be his own judge, when he
should beg in to gather the crop. He can tell this
from the boil which contains the bean, beginning to
crack or open little the bean ripens.
The method of gathering, is to take small slide
or cart with one horse htched to it, narrow enough
to pass between the fourth and fifth rows and BOX
or bed on it that will hold or 6 bushels. This is
made to pass along as is necessary, while the
hands pass along between the rows and cut off
the branches that nave ripened beans on them.
After filling the vehicle it is driven off to a yard
prepared for the purpose, which is an acre of
ground cleared off smooth, and swept, and ought
to be from 90 to 200 feet in diameter according to
the size of the crop the farmer may have. The
branches or bos are thrown in the centre of this
yard and spread out litle that the air and heat
of the sun may act upon them. The effect of these,
is to open the bean hull, and the bean frequently
rushes out with such force as TO be thrown 80 or
40 feet-hence the necessity of having so large q
space OF ground TO spread them upon.
The whole fled must be gone over in this man.
ner, and the branches all Topped off that have ripe
beans on them, and this going over must be repeat
ed twice and sometimes thrice in a week, or else
the beans will pop out in the field and be lost.
The bols on the yard should be stirred little
every day, if the weather is warm and dry, so as
to give them chance to dry and let the beans out
The beans are separated by winnowing, expos.
ing them TO the wind, or by the tanning mill, with
coarse riddle, in the same way wheat is cleaned.
The crop Of beans is cultivated in the same way
that corn is.
The foregoing is correct description of the
manner of raising the bean as we are able either
from observation or inquiry, to give. All of which
is respectfully submitted. Very Respectfully,
EATON g. ADAMS.
The above publication has been procured by me
and the promise of many beans for seed as may
be wanted, if application be made soon, at my
store. JOEL PREWITT.
Feb. %, 1912. soft.