The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-03-21
TELL HOW TO RAISE
EARLY VEGETABLES
Instructions From Department
of Agriculture Give Advice
on Peas and Beans.

For the benefit of those who are
delaying the planting of their gardens
IAN account OF fear OF frost. The
Hines today prints instructions from
the Department of Agriculture which
deal with peas, which are not easily
damaged by frost, and can be planted
at once, and beans
Garden peas are a favorite crop ir
the home garden. and as they are not
easily injured by, light frosts, they
may be planted as soon as the soil
can be put In, order in the spring. By
selecting a number of varieties, IL Ii
possible to have a continuous supply
of peas throughout a large portion of
the growing season In order to ac-
complish this, planting should be
made every ten days or two weeks
until warm weather comes.
The first paintings should be of
mall-growing, quick-maturing va
rieties, such as Alaska, First and
Best, and Gradus. These kinds do not
require supports. They should be fol-
lowed by the large wrinkled type of
peas, such as Champion OF England,
Telephone, and Prize Taker. These
attached to stakes driven in the
ground, or on wire netting.
Instructions on Planting.
Peas should be planted about two 70
three inches deep, In rows three to
four feet apart. Some gardeners, how
ever, follow the practice of planting
in double rows six inches apart, with
the ordinary space OF three to four
feet between these pairs OF lows.
With varieties requiring support this
is a good practice, as the supports
can be placed in the narrow space be-
tween the rows.
Beans are more susceptible to cold
than peas, and should not be planted
until danger of frost is past and the
ground begins to warm up. They are,
however, among the most desirable
vegetables the home gardener can
raise. There are many different kinds
and varieties OF beans, but for garden
purposes they may be divided into two
classes-string and lima Both classes
are grown commercially over the
greater part OF the East and
adapt themselves to a wide diversity
OF soils and climate. They grow
rapidly, and, therefore, leave the area
IN WHICH lnty OCCh piohetN ~ &C
for another crop. To procure a con-
tinuous supply. 1t is desirable to make
paintings at intervals OF ten days or
two weeks from the time the ground
is reasonably warm until hot weather
sets in.
Pole and Bush Types.
Both string and lima beans are sub
divided into pole and bush types. The
pole lima bean should be planted with
and after the plants become estab-'
lished should be thinned to three or
four. The hills should be four or five
feet apart. Bush lima beans are plant
ed FIVE or six inches apart In rows
30 to 80 inches apart. Bush beans
Of the string type may be planted
somewhat closer-the plants standing
three or four inches apart in rows
from twenty to twenty-four inches
apart, II hand cultivation only is to
be employed.
Beans of any kind should not be
planted any deeper than is necessary
to procure good termination. This
should never be over two inches, and
on heavy soil 1t should not be more
than one and one-fourth and one and
one-half inches.
Beets can be planted comparatively
early in the season. 1t is not neces-
sary to wait until the ground has be-
come warm, IL the danger of frost is
past. The seed should be sown in.
drills fourteen to eighteen inches
apart and covered to a depth of about
one inch. As soon as the plants are
well up they should be thinned to
stand three to four inches apart.
From two to three paintings should
be made in order to have a continuous
supply OF young. tender beets.