PROFITABLE LIMA BEANS.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 19, Issue 99, 15 December 1908, Page 7

PROFITABLE LIMA BEANS.

HIRAM H. SHEPARD, ILLINOIS.

In my opinion, the only kind ol lima bean, worth growing is the pole lima. The reason that more bunch limas are; grown than pole limas if that the former require! no supports, while the latter do req uire heavy, supports. Yet scouring poles or other ■ supports for the pole lima bean pays large profits for the time and expense. The advantages ol the pole lima are many. ■ It is a very largo plgnt,’ it bears heavily and continuously tUI frost; the begns are unexcelled inequality, and being supported, the vines rqn high, keeping tho pods clean and making them easy to pjek. The soil in which lima beans we to be planted should be very fer* tile, light and warm, They we very rank growers and the soil can scarcely be made top rich. For tho same reason they ehould be be given pltmty of room and light, They are great lovers of‘ light, warmth, . and rich,, soil! If the gw- v dener will give' them these os entials, they will reward him .handsomely, for the pains. Lima beans are very sensitive to tho cold and (should not be planted till tfie days grow long and the ground becomes thoroughly warmed by several weeks’ sunshine. Those planted early while the ground is yet cold will’ nearly all rot in the ground and, have to be replanted, which is more trouble than the first planting.' Get the soil in fine condition, then wait till, permanent warm, weather for planting. When poles are used for supports, lima beans should be planted both ways and at .least 4 feet apart. In the single row with other material for support, the rows should be at least 4 feet apart and the 1 plants 2 to’B feet apart in the row. J It Is not policy to crowd them, for a single vine will make an immensely larger plant if given plenty of room and bear as much as two or three in a more crowded condition. Thorough and clean cultivation should be given from the first and until they begin to vine, when they are to be poled. The best way to suppdrt them when planted in squares, or both ways, is to se-' cure poles something larger than a r hoe handle from the woods or a thicket. The poles should be about 8 feet long with the bark left on as a rough support for the vines in twining. By far the best and easiest way to arrange the poles is to set four in a square, binding them at the top wigwam fashion with strong harvester binding twine. If given good, clean cultivation during the early season, lima beans will not require much attention later in the season. Yet they must be kept clean of weeds at all times for the best results. Especially do not allow any largo weeds to grow near a hill.