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

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CAsrOR-OIL BEAN.-Thc modo of cul.
, tivatlon Is much like that Of Indian
corn. 1t Is planted In hills four feet
apart. Two beans are dropped II, each
| hill, and II both germinate, the weaker
| plant h 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.
The height of the plant varies from
three to eight feet, according to the
soil and season. There are two varie-
ties Of tho oil-bean, namely, the blue
| stem and the rCd-stcm; some farmers
prefer the red and some the blue.
There 10 a so-callcd castor-bcan plant
that Is magnificent IN its tropical luxu-
rance, but it is more n foliage than an
OIL plant, tho 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 tho spikes, to which are at
tachcd the pods containing the beans.
Ihese spikes vary In length from four
or hyo to fifteen inches, the average
being about ten inches. The spike is
in the form Of cone and stands erect
on tho plant. Tho harvest commences
whcn the first beans begin to pop. The
smell holding the bean eXploues and the
bean Is cjectcu 4 number Of feet, Tho
cause Is doubt less the same that pro-
duces inc popping of corn, being the
applica ton OF heat to the enclosed
moisture. Children are used with c.
economy IN the gathering of the spikes.
a sled, about three feet wide, Is gen
orally used, which Is drawn betwcon
the.rows. The spikes that have thrown
out one or more beans, are detached
with 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
pOnulnS to the amount Of the crop.
lhc spikes are thrown upon the floor
without crowuing one on lhcUthcr, and
the sun gives the heat to eXpel the
beans. They are then winnowcu from
tho chatf and are ready for market.
The price Is now ninety conts per BUSH
ci, OF, say iorty-two pounds. There is
always market for them, 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
crushers are aware that they must pay
ut least a certain price, or the beans
Will not be likely to De produced the
following season. The yield varies
from ten TO eighteen bushels per acre.
In othco words, the yield is as near that
Oh wheat rs can be determined. Far
mcrs are not In unison as to tho kind of
soil best adapted to the bean; but the
general opinion il correct, and that is,
the better the natu.nl 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 bcin,, unavoided expelled IN
the field. There is singuuriry at
tending the gathering Of the beans that
Is both peculiar and unpleasant, a
dizziness and qualmishncss frequently
attack the gathcrcr. These are mani
tested particularly after a heavy dew or
rain, when the sun Is shining hot,
An odor Is then cXhalcd from the crop,
which causes the nausea; but there arc
inf icls who attribute all this to iIaag-
ination. The writer is in this case one
OF the faithful. 1t is perhaps not gen
orally known that live stock will be-
come sick and frequently die from eat
ing the beans. AS Il rule stock that is
Frequently fed, will not touch them.
They are equally dangerous to persons
who may partake Of them.
How TO PLANT WATER LILIES. Tho
best way to plant such flowers
rs tn" lowering rush, the water lily,
or any other aquatic species we may
wish to rear, Is to get an old basket
(not too coarse in its wcbbing), fill il
with soil well saturated in water, and
place tue roots on the plant therein.
The basket should then either be weigh
teu with stones or surrounded with
stones built around 1t in the bed Of the
pond or stream, TO prevent it's being
shifted Or overturned by the currcnto or
any other disturbing influence. a
:cdiment Is quickly deposited around,
the plant speedily finds itself at hon G
IN It's new quarters, and In a short time
the basket either tails to pieces or at
least 50 far yields to the unkindlv con-
ditions in which it Is placed as to be
little or no impeachment to the spread
ing roots. The basket should be rather
fine one. or else the dirt in which the
plant Is set viii be washed out, and the
trouble Will then nll have been taken
IN vain. AS short a dime as possible
sn0ulu elapse between the removal Of
any water plant from its old home to
Its new ono; and where some little
time must of ncccssi " intervene, tho
roots should be kept damp, either by
imm crsion in some convenient vessel
or by being surrounded by damp moss,
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