The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1917-05-17
Growing Beans.

A few years ago it was my good pleas
ure to spend a few weeks in the third
largest bean-growing county in this coun-
try, and we had beans served at every
session by enthusiastic growers. 1t was
surprise to hear men talk of 40 or so
acres OF beans, and the economic methods
introduced in growing and harvesting |
came home with the conviction that we
OF Maine have a very imperfect idea of
the value OF the bean crop when rightly
grown, or how to grow it. Today, with
beans selling at $40 bushel, and every
indication that the crop will sell above
those of former prices, it looks as though
it will pay well for growing.
Beans like a light loan or sandy soil,
but any good warm corn land will grow a
profitable crop, provided it is well prepar-
ed. Somehow, here as elsewhere, en-
phasis must be put on good blowing and
full narrowing to insure first-class seed
bed. If sod land is used, turn the burrows
evenly and then work the whole body Of
the same into light, well pulverized con-
dition. Manure should be applied and
narrowed in two or three weeks before
planting, and my experience will keep
fertilizer away from the bean ground IN
less it can be We'll Incorporated with the
soil firmly believe that on our Maine
soils it will pay to work in ton of lime
per acre before planting, to sweeten the
soil.
While ! nave had yelloW-eyes mature in
good shape, planted June 18th, it is risky,
and is better to get the seed in from MAJ
25th to June Bird With me, it takes
longer to mature the pea varieties than
the yeiloW-eyeS, while the yield is but lit
tie larger, if any.
am wondering if any of our growers
have ever tried any of the inoculating
bacteria which can be obtained from the
Department at Washington. Large grow
ers attach much importance to this, and
the ease with which it is applied suggests
possibilities with those who have not been
growing the crop
Beans are one of the legumes and must
have plenty of nitrogen, so the lime and
the incubation help greatly in insuring
crop. Plant in rows % inches apart, not
too deep, especially if the land is loamy.
| try to get mine in about an inch and a
half, less rather than more. Pea beans
require about 10 quarts to the acre, and
yellow-eyes from rs to 80. Where the
kidney will mature, it is big producer.
One thing to be emphasized is the i'm
portance of getting northern and eastern
grown seed Don't wander far from
home for some novelty, but rely on home
grown or State-grown seed. All seed is
susceptible to environment, and radical
changes here affect yield and time of ma
turity. If possible, get that which is
known to be free from disease Some of
our good State growers have been driven
out of the business by reason of diseases
brought in with new seed. Fortunate is
he who mas grown his own and knows its
superior qualities.
Soil well prepared is half cultivated
Beans are rapid growers, and the roots
spread very early between the rows, so
that two or three civilizations are all that
are possible, and after the first the cult
vator teeth should run very light, not
more than one inch.
Harvest the crop when fully ripe, that
is, when the leaves are practically all off,
and house as soon as well dried. To pre-
vent rafting out haul to the barn when
the dew is on, but do not pack closely.
Twenty bushels is a good crop, but so
many exceed that, that it is safe to say
that the limit is with the man.
Good seed, well-prepared land, plenty
of barn manure or fertilizer worked
in, absolute freedom from weeds, good
dust mulch, and harvesting as soon as
the crop is ready, with full protection from
waste, should, under normal weather con-
ditions, give a crop of 25 to 30 bushels
per acre. Towards the highest every
man should aspire, for the nearer he comes
to the top notch, the greater the profit.
1t looks to the fence as though beans
might be one of the best crops we can
grow this year, but they are not, and
cannot be, profitable under neglect.-Dr.
G. M. Twitchell, in Maine Farmer