RUNNER BEANS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 279, 24 November 1928, Page 6 (Supplement)

RUNNER BEANS.

A good runner bean plant requires a deep root run, therefore the row should always be grown on ground trenched at least four feet deep, the previous winter or early spring. The season is now too far advanced to allow tins being done, and the next best thing is to get out a single trench not less than 18 inches wide and a fair tlireo feet deep, and if the soil is heavy and badly drained, it will be essential that drainage be put in the bottom of the trench before any attempt is made to fill it with soil. Nothing is better than the decaying vegetable refuse, including cabbage leaves, sprouts, kale stems, or turnip tops. Upon this drainage place a layer of long strawy manure, or similar material to prevent the fine soil stopping the drainage 'before the end of the season. This manure should then be covered with a few inches of soil, upon which good rich manure to a depth not less than nine inches or a foot should be placed. Return the soil taken from the top of the row, and when within a foot of the top give another light dressing of manure, also half pound superphosphate, or half that quantity of bonemeal, to each yard of the trench, mixing this well with the soil. The next eight or nine inches should consist of a specially-made compost, consisting of good loam, three parts, well decayed manure, one part, leaf mould, one part. Add a large shovelful of old mortar or lime rubble and a quart of soot to a barrowload of soil. When this compost has been placed in the trench in sufficient quantity to allow at least three inches for watering, the surface should have a second-dress-ing of superphosphate. Plant the seed in November. Draw out two lines, each three inches from the side of the row, and in these place the seeds not less than 10 inches or a foot apart, but in order that there may be no gaps, instead of a single seed drop two in each hole, removing the weakest if both germinate. The provision of adequate support is of the greatest importance, and for plants growing in above compost the ordinary pea stick will be of little use, for the largest pods are invariably produced several feet from the ground. Single poles from eight to twelve feet high are good, and these are placed into position before the plants show signs of climbing. Put one or more between each plant to prevent injury to the roots. If extra large pods are required the growth from each plant should be restricted to one, and this trained to its own pole. Growth will now be very rapid, and during the hot days the foliage should be syringed with water once or twice a day. Water should be given at all times, but especially when the flowers begin to open. If the object in growing is to get pods for exhibition thin out each bunch when these are not more than two inches long, choosing, of course, the straightest of these. Prom now onwards liquid manure should be given twice each week, and, providing the row was drained, as directed, a watering with clear water every alternatate evening.