Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-06-28
THE NAVY BEAN QUESTION.

Some months ago We published In these
columns an article attempting to give good
reasons for why the navy bean, sometimes
called the 'sYankee soup beam" might be
made a successful and profitable. crop for
Texas. The article attracted good deal OF
attention. and brought TO us numerous let
ters tsome of which we published) 1ndors-
ing our views and showing that the bean
was already raised in Texas to consider
able extent, for home use, and that 1t was
invariably success. The interest WORKED
nm by lis spread beyond the borders OF our
owr state, and now comes the kentucky
Farmers Home Journal saying, in sub
stance. that the United States imported
last wear about 81, 600, 900 worth of white
navy beans, which might as well have been
pr0duced in this country. OF course one
feels almost ashamed to mention, in Texas,
auy supposed-to-be great thing involving SO
small a matter as only S1,000,0O0. Texas
don't build much on single million. You
who read this page of THE GAZETTE well
know that last week We showed you by an
argument irrefutable that Fort Worth
alone was losing at least 81, 000, 600 year
nv not having her surroundings settled up
and properly worked. But outside of
Texas 81, OO0, 900 is big thing, so we may
talk on about the navy bean, after our con-
temporary, suggesting, however, that
should Texas once become fairly concerned
in navy bean culture, she'd talk millions in
dollars and cents instead of S, 000, 900.
The crop. says the Home Journal is easy
nf growth, and far more profitable
than either corn, wheat or cotton.
One would think that this boosted coun-
trv of ours, with its vast territory and
varied climate, might produce beans
enough for horne consumption, and even
grow few TO spare. An increased atten-
ton to this subject is all that is necessary
TO effect the desired increase in the home
growth. Like all other branches of agri-
culture, TO be made profitable it must be
learned and properly managed.
In the selection of land for the white
navy bean, continues the Home Journal,
you should look out for thorough drainage.
The land need not be extremely rich-me-
dunn fertility will answer every purpose.
If not up TO medium fertility it should be so
brought up by the application of manures.
Wood ashes usually give good results, espe-
cialy if supplemented with a little bone
meal or super-phosphate. A good potato or
vegetable manure can always be depended
upon as a fertilizer for navy beans. Pre-
pare the ground by blowing and thorough
narrowing and rolling. Plant seed with a
drill, or by hand In the latter case burrows
must be marked out, say three feet
apart and an inch or two deep. After
planting seeding may be covered, and the
Soil firmed by means of the feet. Leave
plants six to eight inches apart, and cult
vate freely. Do not hill. Small beans
Will require about half bushel of seed to
the acre; medium three pecks, and the
large sorts one bushel. The time of plant
ing varies according TO the variety to be
planted. The early varieties may be
planted rs late as July, while the later ones
should be planted as early as June. OF
course this is presuming that the region is
one of fair amount of rainfall throughout
the season. In a region where the the rain
fall is good early in the season, but is liza
bic 10 be followed by severe summer
irouth, it would be best to get the crop in
as early as possible to give it the benefit of
the spring rains.