The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-06-28
PRODUCING FIELD OR NAVY
BEANS IN KENTUCKY

BEANS in KENTUCKY
A good many farmers in Kentucky,
Influenced Of course by the extreme
ly high price of all kinds Of dried
beans, are contemplating planting a
small crop of beans this year. This is
a very wise thing to do, for not only
will the crop prove profitable, but
if a large number of these small
crops are produced, they will add
very materially to our supply Of
foodstuffs. There is no reason TO
fear low prices, even if the usual
acreage devoted to beans in the
United States is doubled.
Beans grow well in Kentucky on
most soils, and will give just as
large yields as are secured in the
chief bean growing states. Because
Of the long growing season in Ken
lucky, the crop can be grown as a
catch crop after wheat or other
small grains, and as a matter Of
fact, the late planted crops are
likely to give the best results. Only
as large crops should be planted as
can be harvested and threshed by
hand, for it would be very unwise to
buy any special bean machinery.
Farmers should not attempt TO raise
field beans regularly in Kentucky. |
for such a practice is pretty certain
to be unsuccessful on account Of the |
weevil. The first crop is not likely
to be troubled to any extent, but in
q short time the weevil will become
established and make further bean
growing impossible. The chief
reason why the dried bean industry
Of the United States is confined to
the northern border of the country
and to California, is because these
are the only regions practically
exempt from serious attacks of the
veevil.
of Field Beans. Choice
Of Soil
Beans will grow on any kind Of
we'll drained soil, but a medium
oam is probably best. The soil
'hould be moderately fertile-say
apable of raising a crop OF 40 TO
bushels Of corn per acre. Soils
excessively rich in organic matter
hould not be planted in beans as
hey will produce rank vines but )
title seed. In case Of rather thin
oils, an application Of 200 pounds 4
{ acid phosphate per acre will be /"
rofltable in regions where phos- n
horic acid is deficient in the soil. '
Prepar alton OF Seed Bed :
Plow to a moderate depth for
cans, and il blowing is done late,
'hich is likely TO be the case, the
md should be narrowed and fitted :
efore it has chance to get dry and II
loddy. Soils for planting beans IL
Mould be put in excellent condi- :,
on so that the seed can be easily :, y
)vered with fine, pulverlzed soil. q
Obtaining Seed
Most Of the navy beans sold at =
-ocery stores will terminate, but v
course they should be carefully a
'sted for termination before plant 8
lg. Get a handful from the grocer's =,
ock and plant in a painful OF moist
md. II is very easy in this way to
llculate the percentage that will OF
row. II viable seed cannot be n
,cured in this way, il can be bought fe
any scotsman. u
Planting
II has already been suggested that 81
lther late planting is desirable in cl
entucky. In no case should plant v
lg be done before the middle OF n
ay or first of June. Probably g,
le best time is about the first IA
July. There is plenty OF a.
me for the beans TO mature II a
Ianted from July 4 TO is. and this
ill permit their following rye, y
heat, etc.
Beans should be planted in rows q
TO 80 inches apart. They can be b,
,wn by hand in case Of small crops. :,
Ut sown more evenly by the use II,
/ a grain drill and OF course much ID