, 1866-06-01
- Letter from Farmer.

ED. STATESMAN The subject of bean culture
is of so much Importance to the farmers of Wal
Ia Walla that short article is not sufficient to
tuily present the matter to those interested;
therefore, | propose to cOUtnue, with your per
mission, until ! can show the quantity per acre,
and the probable profits, ani also the kind of
bean to meet the demands Of the uIarket and
this is Of the first importance in the business.
As is very evident. we raise this RrtcfC for
the miner. Then, what are the kind of beans
psed ny that class? Every one who has had
hny experience in trade here knows that nine
tenlhs Of the beans consumed in this country
are coUFed. The Bayou is now the most com
mon in the market but the Chill bean is the
favorite among packers. Either of these varie-
ties mature we'll m this VALLEY and Weld fair
crop but the Bayou is ncs perfect in color.
When Produced here they lose the dark brown
and become very pale, or nearly white, and con
sequently are not so marketable. The Chilli
beans raised be-e are Superior to those i'm
ported, being lager, plump, fully as dark COL
or, rs highly Favored, and are really superior
to the imported oucs. RdYiug been tested for
six Years in WTlla Walla, and always proving
superior to any other, 30 far as my experience
goes, am satisfied to adopt them as the bean
for this valley and our market. Having this
question settled will proceed to show. what
can be done at raising beans in Walla Walla.
At the present price of labor can plant, cul-
tlvate, harvest thrash, clean and deliver in mar
ket an acre of beans for sixteen dollars, includ-
ing seed. Now, have never failed yet to raise
LOCO pounds per acre, and my average has
been about 1900 and when they are on good
ground and unmolested by insects I always ex-
pect 29OO pounds. But want to say positively
that there is no other than the large Chilli bean
that will produce over one half this amount.
Some may ask, what is the description of the
Chilli bean? In answer, | will say, that would
generally be called large red bean, shape long
and plump but it is not red exactly. 1t is, |
would say, a dark purple, with bright purple
spots all over it. SO it is easily distinguished
Its habits of growth are not peculiar, except
that it grows very high, stands erect and has no
vine whatever. It will lipen at least two week s
earlier than any other bean ever raised.
find it necessary to plant very early-as ear
ly as it is safe from frost. Ny practice is to
plant from the lst to the 10th of May. Furrow
out the ground deep and plant the beans from
l8'inches to two feet apart four or six in hill;
rows three feet apart. Never drill them, for tn e
reasons that it doubles the work to cultivate
and thribbles'it to pull them. Pull them as
soon as the leaves fall, or little before. Throw
iu small bunches and leave them but few days
to dry them haul i'm and thrash at the same
time. Never stack them in large piles, as they
are apt to gather dampness.
will give you another small dish of beans.
devoted entirely to the insects and enemies oi
bean culture, and the special advantages Of the
Chill bean as a staple crop.
My experience in farming has been that all
kinds OF crops have their enemies and dfsadyan.
tages and Liabilities to failure but | consider
THIS the safest crop can raise.
WALLA WALLA FARMER.