RUNNER BEANS AS DWARFS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22422, 17 November 1934, Page 20

RUNNER BEANS AS DWARFS

In many gardens the staking of runner beans is a considerable, problem. The plants will normally attain a height of six or seven feet, dud in small plots have the effect of overshadowing the surrounding: rows. Many growers turn their decorative value to good account by using them to screen Unsightly Walls or fences, but there is also another little practised mode of culture —namely, that of growing -the plants as dwarfs by. means of periodically stopping the leading shoots. By nipping out the growing points of the leading shoots the production of lateral growths is encouraged, and the plants will soon develop a bushy habit. The crop obtained is hardly so large as when the plants are staked, but if afforded a good /rooting medium and an ample supof moisture, the return is satisfac-, tory* ' It is not advisable to allow the centres to become overcrowded, as lack of air and sunshine .may easily result in the pods failing to set. .From time to time a few. of the centre growths should be thinned out to ensure the circulation of air throughout the plants. In other reripectS, their needs are identical with those Of staked ones, and to avoid a repetition of last,'summer's failures a start should be made at once to conserve so far as possible the moisture reserves of the soil.; Periodical stirring of the soil with a Dutch hoe until it is reduced to a fine .dust-like,condition;is essential. v A mulch of strawy stable manure will, .it , is true, he. another . aid in.,.the reduction. of the needier watering', bqt to be most effective it-should be laid down on soil which has already a dust mulch oyer the surface of at least two inches in depth. Wherever; possible, watering should be both regular and plentiful, but..on no, account must mere :purface sprinklings bo given. , They have only the effect, of tempting the roots to the surface, and leaving them an, easy prey to drought. Spraying the plants-overhead in the cool of the evening . will ■ also induce, strong growth-, and freedom-.from pests,Feeding with weak liquid manure should be commenced ns soon as the first pods begin to swell, and can be continued throughout the summer, provided’ 1 the plants show no s’igns of over-feeding by the production of malformed or distorted growth. In a season such as this, it is advisable to pick the pods in rather younger Condition than usual. The seeds will swell and harden long before the. pods have attained their full development, and if any are allowed to ripen the plants will soon, go out of production. The same is true of dwarf French or kidney beans. Heavy' bearing plants of .these, varieties are often the better for the Support of a few brushwood sticks or strings stretched along- the rows to prevent the pods from touching the soil. Here, again, tha main essential to free growth is theprovision of, root moisture,, and, as the roots are extremely susceptible to chills, the water used must be allowed to stand in the open air for at least 24 hours. Where -it has not already been done, the. growing points should bo pinched out of all broad beans. Hot, dry weather, is favourable' to black fly, and the soft, succulent tops are an invitation to this pest. They will Seldom attack the more hardened mature growth, and the tops shorild always be pinched out before they make an appearance. The exhibitor will soon require to make a start in selecting the most promising plants and pods to receive special attention. To produce first-class examples for show the clusters must be thinned out to leave only the two most promising pods in each. These should he lightly looped up to the sticks ■with raffia, and it is as well to pinch out the points on all young shoots, as this encourages quick swelling. —Lothian, in Amateur Gardening.