The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-01-06

CASTOR OIL BEAN.-The mode Of cul-
tivatlOn is much like that Of Indian
c"rn. 1t is planted in hills four feet
apart. Two beans are dropped IN each
hill, and II both germinate, the weaker
plant Is destroyed. 1t is planted dur
ing the complaining season; that is,
when no further frost may be expected.
1t Is cultivated after the manner Of corn.
Tie height of the plant varies from
three to eight feet, according to the
soil and season. There are two varie-
ties of the oil-bean, namely, the blue
stem and the rcd-stcm; some farmers
prefer the red and some the blue.
There is Il sO-callcd castor-bcan plant
that Is magnificent in its tropical luxu-
rance, but it is more Il foliage than an
oil plant, the beans being out of favor
with the oil-crushcrs. Tue beans ma
tHro during August and September, or
rather The maturing continues till the
host Kills the plants and all the imma-
ture beans. The plant throws out dur
ing this period, from time to time, what
are called the spikes, to which arc at
tachcd the pods containing the beams.
These spikes vary in length from four
or five to fifteen inches, the average
being about ten inches. The spike is
in the form of Il cone and stands erect
on tho plant. The harvest commences
when the first beans begin to pop. Tho
shell holding the bean explodes and the
bean Is elected a number of feet. Tho
cause Is doubtless the same hat pro-
duCes the popping Of corn, Ue1ug the
application OF heat to til enclosed
moisture. Children are used with O.
conomy in the gathering Of t..e spikes.
a sled, about three feet wide, Is gem
orally used, which is drawn between
lhc.rows. The spikes that have thrown
out one or more beans, are detached
with Il knife, and the others are drawn
TO The popping floor near the homestead.
The floor Is prepared by clearing from
grass II level space Of an extent CORES
ponding to the amount of the crop.
The spikes are thrown upon the floor
without crowding one on LhcULhcr, and
the sun gives the heat to eXpel the
beans. They arc then winnowed from
the chafr and arc ready for market.
The price is now nincty cents per BUSH
el, OF, say forty-twO pounds. There is
always market for thcn!, yet the buy
crs are in "ring." The few mills re-
gulate the prices. All the buyers are
local agents for the mills, and while
there Is generally no competition, the
crushcrs are aware that they must pay
at least Il certain price, or the beans
Will not be likely to be produced the
following season. The yield varies
from ten to eighteen bushels per aero.
In othco words, the yield Is as near that
OF wheat rs can be determined. Far
mcrs are not in unison aS to the kind Of
soil best adapted to the bean; but the
general opinion il correct, and that Is,
the better the natu.al soil, the better
the crop. There is Il great advantage
arising from raising beans, and it is,
that the soil becomes decidedly and
greatly improved. 1t is generally sup
posed that this arises from so many OF
the beans being unayoiued expelled IN
the field. There Is singularity at
tending the gathering Of the beans that
Is both peculiar and unpleasant, a
dizziness and qualmishneSs frequently
attack tho gatllcrer. These are mani
tested particularly after a heavy dew or
Il rain, when the sun is shining hot.
An odor Is then cXhalcd from the crop,
which causes the Nausea; but there are
lnfticls who attribute all this to iinag-
nation. The writer is in this case Que
OF the faithful. 1t is perhaps not gem
orally known that live stock will be-
come sick and frequently die from cat
ing the beans. AS Il rule stock that is
Frequently fed, will not touch them.
They arc equally dangerous to persons
who may partako Of them.
How TO PLANT WATER LILIEs.-Ihc
best way TO plant such flowers
rs the lowering rush, the water lily,
or any other aquatic species we may
wish 70 rear, Is to get an old basket
(not too coarse In its wcbblng), fill il
with soil well saturated in water, and
place tue roots on The plant therein.
The basket should then either be weigh
ted with stones or surrounded with
stones built around it in the bed of the
pond or stream, 10 prevent Its being
shifted or overturned by the current or
any other disturbing influence. n
,cdlmcnt Is quickly deposited around,
the plant speedily finds itself at hon G
In Its new quarters, and IN a short time
the basket either lalls to pieces or at
least so far yields to the unkindly con-
ditions In which 1t Is placed as to be
little or no impcdimcnt to the spread
ing roots. The basket should be rather
fine one, or else the dirt in which the
plant Is set vii bc washed out, and the
trouble Will then all have been taken
In vain. AS short Il time as possible
snould clapse between the removal Of
any water plant from its old home to
It's new one; and where some little
time must Of necessi ~ intervene, tho
roots should be kept damp, either by
immersion In some convenient vessel
or by being surrounded by damp moss,
until they can DO rcplanted.