Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1917-06-08
Lessons on Lima Beans for Charles
County Schools.

LIMA BEANS-The most successful
farmer or home gardner is the one who
plants in his garden large amounts Of
the staple crops which may be stored or
preserved for winter use Lima beans
may be canned while they are in the
green state or some Of them may be
allowed TO mature on the vines and
gathered later as dried beans.
There are two classes Of lima beans,
namely, the dwarf or bush limas, and
the pole limas. There are small seeded
and large seeded varieties in both
classes Henderson's Bush Lima and
Woods Prolific are dwarf varieties pro-
ducing small pods and seeds. These
varieties are also Known as Butter
Beans" in the South Burpee's Bush
Lima and Fordhook Bush Lima are
large seeded varieties. and Early Levia-
than, King OF the Garden. and Ideal are
pole varieties that have large pods and
seeds The pole varieties are more pro-
ductive than the bush varieties, but they
must be trained up from the ground At
the same time that a crop is produced.
the land is improved by beans since
they are legumes ike clover.
While beans are grown on all types
OF soil, lima beans do best on sandy
loan and loan soils. Since some Of
the flowers may be blasted by hot
weather in midsummer, il is important
TO give them a good start so that they
may set as many pods as possible before
that time, and for this reason the light
soils are better Thorough drainage is
essential and the soil should contain
moderate amount Of organic matter.
Fertilizers for beans should contain
only enough nitrogen to give them a
good start Phosphoric acid and potash
are most important. 2 per cent. nitrogen
and 2 per cent phosphoric acid should
he used Potash cannot be secured ex
sept in the form OF stable manure A
mixture Of 40 pounds nitrate OF soda
and 500 pounds of acid phosphate {1G
per cent? may be applied at the rate OF
500 pounds per acre when the seed is
sown, or along the rows mixed with the
soil two weeks after the plants are up.
Manure is sometimes placed in the hill
or row and covered with two inches Of
soil before the seed is sown. Only well
rotted manure should be used.
The ground should be thoroughly pull
verified before planting The bush
varieties may be planted inches apart
Tor hand cultivation or 30 inches for
horse cultivation. When the ground is
little heavy two seeds dropped to-
gether in the furrow will come up
easier Pole beans are usually planted
about 3 to 4 feet apart each way Five
or six seeds are planted around each
pole and thinned if necessary. Cover
the seeds about ~ inch. and firm with
a rake. When poles are scarce, a sup
port can be made by stretching a wire at
the top of foot posts placed about 90
feet apart in the row. The middle posts
need not be as heavy as the end posts.
Another wire is placed at the bottom OF
the posts along the ground and then
stout Irvine is placed in zigzag manner
between the wires for the beans. A
combination of poles and wires may be
used. II crust forms before the seeds
have pushed through, it should be
broken by striking gently with a rake.
When the plants are up, the ground
should be hoed along the rows and thor
ough cultivation maintained throughout
he summer. Since beans are shallow
rooted, the cultivation should be shall
low. The vines will remain on the land
all summer and will be killed easily by
frost in the fall.
E. H. STODDARD,
Professor of Vegetable Gardening,
Maryland Agricultural College.