The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1882-03-30

Beans as a Field Crop.

Beans as a Field Crop.
1t is often matter of considera-
BILE anxiety with the farmer to know
what crops to raise to make the
money necessary for his use. Some
times one crop is remunerative and
then it proves . failure. Expert
ence is the only satisfactory test.
Judging from the high price of
beans in our markets from year to
year, and from our experience in
raising them on q small scale, it
seems to US that the beans have not
occupied that Importance as a field
crop in some sections of the coun-
try which they might wisely and
profitably have done. So far as we
know where the trial has been made
without success they are planted on
very poor land, with the idea that
any Il nd almost would do for
beans.
1t has been common saying of
the very poorest land that it was
''too poor to raise white beans;"
showing the common idea, that
very poor land would do for them.
While it is true that if land is fresh
ly MANFRED the common white bean
will run to vines, with small
amount of fruit, it is aMo true that
it must have some heart and suffi-
cient str myth to cause the vines
to make a vigorous and quick
though not excessive growth. The
white bean Phaseolus Vulgaris)
is an important article of food, con-
tanning more nutritious and strength
imparting elements in given weight
than perhaps any Of the cereals.
II crops are valuable for food, in
proportion to the albuminoids they
contain, as is generally conceded,
and if the analysis of frst-class
chemists are reliable, a pound of
beans contains double the amount
of nutritive matter contained in
pound of wheat and twice and half
as much as is cont tanned in corn.
But as chemists are not quite agreed
on this matter, we give authority.
Wolf d. Knop say, beans contain
relatively to wheat as 25.5 beans
to 13 wheat, and 10 to corn, while
Einhorf says, the nutriment in
beans is "a to wheat a. But, be it
IS it IL ay, the price shows that the
public think beans are twice as val
liable as wheat, as they are not only
nutritious but highly pslatable in
their season. The profit is what
now concerns US.
The soil for growing white beans
should be quick, dry, and not too
strongly MANFRED.
The land should be put in good
condition before the seed is planted,
freely pulverized and freshly cult
waited, SO that all the weeds shall
have been killed that would be like
ly to grow up and choke the young
plants. They need cultivation as
soon as two leaves become fully ex-
banded. The great failure in bean
culture is neglecting them too long
after they come up. The ground
should become thoroughly warm be-
fore the seed is put In the ground,
or else they are liable to rot. One
good cultivation at the right time
is sufficient.
The time for planting varies with
the latitude. Soon after corn plant
ing does well at the north. Further
south the planting should be de-
layed as late as possible and escape
fall frosts, and have them ripen in
the dryest part of the season. We
think the first of July does well in
the latitude Of southern Jersey. If
they ripen too early the weevil is
apt to do the crop much harm, and
has sometimes rendered 1t worthless
before the time for seeding. 1t is
safer on this account for southern
growers to obtain northern seed.
The small white or cranberry is
the most prolific, and is best for
shipping purposes, while the kidney
and marrow bring fully twenty five
per cent. more per bushel.
Harvesting beans is considered a
great bug bear by those who have
little or no experience in it. They
should be gathered always before
the first frost, otherwise the unripe
beans will! turn of dark color when
struck by the frost. This Injuries
the sale. When there is no danger
of frost or the ground is not needed
they can stand until the latest pods
turn yellow.
There are various ways of gather
ing. The primitive way is to hand
pull them and throw them in heaps.
taking care to put them under shell
ter before they get wet. They may
he stacked around poles with the
roots IN the center when they will
nicely cure, though quite green.
There is a machine which pulls
two rows at a time and puts the
rows together; we are not acquaint-
ed with it; those who have used it
speak well of it. Moving can onl,
be done when the stalks are quite
green. Care is necessary in han
ding them to prevent waste. They
are regarded a hard crop On the
soil, though a profitable one to
raise when the crop proves a sue
cess The general yield is from
twenty to twenty-five bushels to the |
acre, and price from two dollars and |
Gfe. i