The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1888-05-17
FARM AND HOUSEHOLD !!
Culture of Beans.
BY JOSEPH HARRIS.

There are two or three counties in
Western New York where beans are
grown to an enormous extent, and
the farmers have become rich by their
sale. There seems to be- no special
reason why this crop should have been
adopted in this section We have
millions Of acres of similar soil and
climate where beans are seldom grown.
If leguminous crops get their nitro
gen from the atmosphere, the farms
where beans are grown so largely and
the vines fed out to sheep ought to be
very rich. We do not learn that such
is the case. In fact, it is claimed by
some that beans prove to be an ex-
hausting crop, and that the old bean
growers are not making as much
money as formerly.
Beans are at the present time
brought from Europe in bags right
into the heart of the been-growing
section of Western New York, where
they are pat in barrels and shipped as
"New York State beans" From this
it is evident that our bean growers
have an established reputation which
the dealers are not slow to utilize. 1t
also indicates that beans can be grown
in other places. We have known
many farmers undertake to raise beans
for the first time who made failure
of it. They generally plant when
beaus are high. and anticipating large
profits put in twice as many acres as
they are able to take care of. Beans
must be kept clean. But too much
hoeing and cultivating does not suit
them. In other words, we need clean
land to start with, or we must plant
on sod turned over with 'jointer'
plow Immediately before planting
| On such land the beans get d good
growth before the weeds start, and
but little hoeing and cultlvatipg are
necessary.
Tn beau-pianter commonly used
in Western New York is drawn by
one horse. 1t makes two rows at a
time, twenty=nine inches apart, and
drops five or six beans in the rows in
hills about fifteen or eighteen inches
apart. The machine covers the beans,
| and the whole work is done at one op-
Grafton. Is there are hard clay spots
which the machine does not cover
completely, the work must be done
with hoe, putting two inches of fine
soil on the beans. Instead of using a
bean-planter many good farmers put
in the beans with an ordinary grain
drill, sowing three rows at time,
twenty-eight inches apart, and drop
ping the beans about two inches apart
in the rows. They claim larger
yield. but it is. possibly, a little more
work to keep them clean. and certain
ly more work to pull them than when
planted in hills.
Beans are profitable crop, and it
seems a pity that we should ever have
to import, them from Europe. But
let US again urge any of our readers
who may plant them for the first time
to select good clean land, plow care
fully, and harrow and roll till the sur
face is as mellow as a garden. The
advantage of thorough narrowing is
not always appreciated.
Cultivate between the rows fire.
quently, but not too deep, with fine
toothed steel horse-hoe that will kill
every weed and leave the surface
smooth and fine. Many Of our corn
cultivators are too coarse and leave
the land too rough, so that it dries out
in hot weather, and the growth Of the
beans is checked. The rule in regard
to planting is to put in the beans as
soon as possible after corn is planted.
American Agriculturist.