English Bean

Horse-bean. Garden-bean, of the English. Vicia faba.

The English Bean differs essentially from the Common American Garden or Kidney Bean usually cultivated in this country; and is classed by botanists under a different genera, and not as a distinct species, as intimated in the "American Gardener." Aside from the great difference in their general appearance and manner of growth, the soil, climate, and mode of cultivation, required by the two classes, are very dissimilar: the American Garden-bean thriving best in a light, warm soil, and under a high temperature; and the English Bean in stiff, moist soil, and in cool, humid seasons.

The English Bean is a native of Egypt, and is said to be the most ancient of all the now cultivated esculents. It is an annual plant, with an upright, smooth, four-sided, hollow stem, dividing into branches near the ground, and growing from two to four feet and upwards in height. The leaves are alternate, pinnate, and composed of from two to four pairs of oval, smooth, entire leaflets; the flowers are large, nearly stemless, purple or white, veined and spotted with purplish-black; the pods are large and downy; the seeds are rounded, or reniform, flattened, and vary to a considerable extent in size and color in the different varieties,—they will vegetate until more than five years old.

Soil and Planting.—As before remarked, the English Bean requires a moist, strong soil, and a cool situation; the principal obstacles in the way of its successful cultivation in this country being the heat and drought of the summer. The seeds should be planted early, in drills two feet asunder for the smaller-growing varieties, and three feet for the larger sorts; dropping them about six inches from each other, and covering two inches deep. A quart of seed will plant about a hundred and fifty feet of row or drill.

Cultivation.—"When the plants have attained a height of five or six inches, they are earthed up slightly for support; and, when more advanced, they are sometimes staked along the rows, and cords extended from stake to stake to keep the plants erect. When the young pods appear, the tops of the plants should be pinched off, to throw that nourishment, which would be expended in uselessly increasing the height of the plant, into its general system, and consequently increase the bulk of crop, as well as hasten its maturity. This often-recommended operation, though disregarded by many, is of very signal importance."—M'Int.

Taking the Crop.—The pods should be gathered for use when the seeds are comparatively young, or when they are of the size of a marrowfat-pea. As a general rule, all vegetables are most tender and delicate when young; and to few esculents does this truth apply with greater force than to the class of plants to which the English Bean belongs.

Use.—The seeds are used in their green state, cooked and served in the same manner as shelled kidney-beans. The young pods are sometimes, though rarely, used as string-beans.

Varieties.—

Dutch Long Pod.

Plant from four to five feet high, dividing into two or three branches; flowers white; pods horizontal, or slightly pendulous, six or seven inches long, about an inch in width, three-fourths of an inch thick, and containing five or six large white or yellowish-white seeds.

Not early, but prolific, and of good quality.

Dwarf Fan, or Cluster.

Early Dwarf. Bog-bean.

A remarkably dwarfish, early variety, much employed in forcing. Stem about a foot high, separating near the ground into two or three branches; flowers white; the pods, which are produced in clusters near the top of the plant, are almost cylindrical, three inches long, three-fourths of an inch thick, and contain three or four small, oblong, yellow seeds.

It is one of the smallest and earliest of the English Beans, and yields abundantly.

Early Dwarf Crimson-Seeded. Vil.

Vilmorin's Dwarf Red-seeded.

Plant sixteen inches high, separating into two or three divisions, or branches; the flowers resemble those of the Common varieties, but are somewhat smaller; the pods are erect, three inches and a half long, three-fifths of an inch wide, half an inch thick, and contain three or four seeds, closely set together, and nearly as large in diameter as the pod.

The ripe seeds are bright brownish-red or crimson, thick, shortened at the back, and depressed at the sides: six hundred and fifty will measure a quart.

The variety is principally esteemed for its dwarfish habit and early maturity.

Early Mazagan.

Early Malta.

This variety, though originally from Mazagan, on the coast of Africa, is one of the hardiest sorts now in cultivation. Stem from two to three feet high, and rather slender; pods four to five inches long, containing four or five whitish seeds.

The Early Mazagan is much less productive than many other sorts; but its hardiness and earliness have secured it a place in the garden, and it has been cultivated more or less extensively for upwards of a century.

Evergreen Long Pod. M'Int.

Green Genoa. Green Long Pod. Green Nonpareil.

This variety grows from three to four feet high. The pods are long, somewhat flattened, and generally contain four rather small, oblong, green seeds. It is an excellent bearer, of good quality, and but a few days later than the Common Long Pod. The variety is much esteemed on account of the fine, green color of the beans; which, if gathered at the proper time, retain their green color when dressed.

In planting, make the drills three feet apart, and two inches and a half deep; and allow two plants for each linear foot.

Green China.

From two to two feet and a half high; pods long, cylindrical, containing three or four beans, which remain of a green color when dry. It is recommended for its great productiveness and late maturity.

Green Julienne. Vil.

Plant about three feet and a half high, usually divided into four branches; the pods are erect, four inches long, three-fourths of an inch thick, and contain two or three small, oblong, green seeds.

Early and of good quality.

Green Windsor.

Toker.

Stem three feet high, separating into two, and sometimes three, branches; flowers white; pods erect, often horizontal, four inches and a half long, an inch and a quarter wide, and containing three large, green, nearly circular, and rather thick seeds.

The latter retain their fresh, green color till near maturity, and, to a considerable extent, when fully ripe; and, on this account, are found in the market, and used at table, after most other varieties have disappeared.

The variety resembles the Common Broad Windsor; but the seeds are smaller, and retain their green color after maturity. Eleven or twelve well-developed seeds will weigh an ounce.

Horse-Bean. Law.

Scotch Bean. Faba vulgaris arvensis.

Stem from three to five feet high; flowers variable in color; the ripe seeds are from a half to five-eighths of an inch in length by three-eighths in breadth, generally slightly compressed on the sides, and frequently a little hollowed or flattened at the end, of a whitish or light-brownish color, occasionally interspersed with darker blotches, particularly towards the extremities; eye black; average weight per bushel sixty-two pounds.

An agricultural sort, generally cultivated in rows, but sometimes sown broadcast. It is not adapted to the climate of the United States, though extensively and profitably grown in England and Scotland.

Johnson's Wonderful. Law.

An improved variety of the Broad Windsor, recently introduced, and apparently of excellent quality. The pods are long, and contain six or eight beans, which are similar in size and form to the Windsor.

Long-Podded. Law.

Lisbon. Hang-down Long Pod. Early Long Pod. Sandwich. Turkey Long Pod. Sword Long Pod.

Stems from three to five feet high; pods six to seven inches long, an inch and a fourth broad, rather pendulous, and containing four or five whitish, somewhat oblong, flattened seeds, about an inch in length, and five-eighths of an inch in breadth.

The variety has been long in cultivation, is remarkably productive, and one of the most esteemed of the English Beans. It is about a week later than the Early Mazagan.

Marshall's Early Dwarf Prolific. M'Int.

Plant from eighteen inches to two feet high, separating into numerous branches. It resembles the Early Mazagan; but is two weeks earlier, and much more productive. The pods are produced in clusters near the ground, and contain four or five seeds, which are larger than those of the last named.

Red or Scarlet Blossomed.

Stem three or four feet high, separating near the ground into four branches; flowers generally bright-red, approaching scarlet, but varying from pale to purplish-red and blackish-purple, and sometimes to nearly jet-black; the pods, which differ from all other varieties in their dark, rusty-brown color, are erect, four inches long, nearly an inch broad, and contain three and sometimes four seeds.

The variety is remarkably hardy and productive; but less esteemed than many others, on account of its dark color. It deserves cultivation as an ornamental plant.

Red Windsor. Law. M'Int.

Scarlet Windsor. Dark-red.

This variety resembles the Violet or Purple; growing about four feet high. The pods are narrower than those of the Broad Windsor, and contain about the same number of seeds: in the green state, these are darker than those of the Violet, but change to scarlet when fully grown, and to deep-red when ripe.

The Red Windsor is late, but prolific, and of good quality. It is, however, little cultivated, on account of its dark and unattractive appearance. The seed weighs about thirty-one grains.

Royal Dwarf Cluster. M'Int.

A very Dwarf, and comparatively new variety; growing only twelve or fourteen inches high. It produces its pods in clusters, three or four beans in each pod, which are smaller than Marshall's Early Prolific. On account of its branching habit, it should not have less than ten or twelve inches in the line, which is nearly its proper distance between the rows. Much esteemed for the delicacy and smallness of the beans while young, and considered one of the best of the early Dwarf sorts.

Toker. Law.

Large Toker.

Height about five feet; pods rather long, and very broad, containing three or four beans of a whitish color,—differing from the Common Windsor in being of an elongated, oval form.

This is a medium late sort, and an excellent bearer, but considered somewhat coarse, and therefore not so much esteemed as the Windsor. The ripe seed weighs thirty-six grains.

Violet or Purple.

Violette.

Stem about four feet high, with two or three ramifications; flowers white; pods generally erect, sometimes at right angles, a little curved, four inches or upwards in length, an inch and a fourth in width, four-fifths of an inch thick, containing two and sometimes three seeds. When ripe, the beans are large, not regular in form, rather thin, of a violet-red color, changing by age to a mahogany-red; the size and shape being intermediate between the Long Pod and Broad Windsor.

The variety is of good quality, and productive; but less desirable than many other sorts, on account of its dark color.

White-Blossomed Long Pod. Law.

The flowers of this sort differ from all others in being pure white; having no spots on the large upper petal, or on the wings or smaller side petals. It is liable to degenerate; but may easily be distinguished, when in flower, by the above characters. Stem about four feet high; pods long, nearly cylindrical, and slightly pendulous, generally containing four and sometimes five seeds, which are black or blackish-brown, three-fourths of an inch long, and half an inch broad.

It is a moderate bearer, and of excellent quality; but not used in an advanced state, on account of its color. The variety possesses the singular anomaly of having the whitest flowers and the darkest seeds of any of the English Beans. The seed weighs about twelve grains.

Windsor.

White Broad Windsor. Taylor's Large Windsor. Kentish Windsor. Mumford. Wrench's Improved Windsor.

Stem about four feet high; flowers white; pods generally horizontal or inclined, five inches long, an inch and a fourth wide, seven-eighths of an inch thick, and containing two or three beans; seeds large, yellowish, of a flat, circular form, an inch broad, but varying in size according to soil, culture, and season. A quart contains from two hundred and fifty to two hundred and seventy-five seeds.

This familiar sort is much esteemed and extensively cultivated. It is considered the earliest of the late Garden varieties; and excellent as a summer bean, on account of its remaining longer fit for use than any other, with the exception of the Green Windsor. It is a sure bearer; and, as the pods are produced in succession, pluckings may be made from day to day for many weeks.

The seeds are the heaviest of all the English Beans; nine well-grown specimens weighing an ounce.

Lentil. Law.

Ervum lens.

A hardy, annual plant, with an erect, angular, branching stem a foot and a half high. The leaves are winged, with about six pairs of narrow leaflets, and terminate in a divided tendril, or clasper; the flowers are small, numerous, and generally produced in pairs; the pods are somewhat quadrangular, flattened, usually in pairs, and enclose one or two round, lens-like seeds, the size and color varying in the different varieties,—about four hundred and fifty are contained in an ounce, and their power of germination is retained three years.

Cultivation.—"The soil best adapted for the Lentil is that of a dry, light, calcareous, sandy nature."

When cultivated as green food for stock, it should be sown broadcast; but, if grown for ripe seeds, it should be sown in drills,—the last of April or beginning of May being the most suitable season for sowing.

Use.—"The Lentil is a legume of the greatest antiquity, and was much esteemed in the days of the patriarchs. In Egypt and Syria, the seeds are parched, and sold in shops; being considered by the natives as excellent food for those making long journeys. In France, Germany, Holland, and other countries of Europe, it is grown to a considerable extent, both for its seeds and haum. The former are used in various ways, but principally, when ripe, in soups, as split pease. When given as green food to stock, it should be cut when the first pods are nearly full grown."

Varieties.—

Common Lentil. Law.

Yellow Lentil.

This variety is considered superior to the Large Lentil, though the seeds are much smaller. In the markets of Paris, it is the most esteemed of all the cultivated sorts. Its season is the same with that of the last named.

Green Lentil.

Lentille verte Du Puy. Vil.

The Green Lentil somewhat resembles the Small Lentil, particularly in its habit of growth; though its stem is taller and more slender, and its foliage deeper colored. The principal distinction is in the color of the seeds, which are green, spotted and marbled with black.

Large Lentil. Law.

Flowers small, white, generally two, but sometimes three, on each peduncle; the pods are three-fourths of an inch long, half an inch broad, flattened, and generally contain a single seed, which is white or cream-colored, lens-shaped, three-eighths of an inch in diameter, and an eighth of an inch in thickness. The plant is about fifteen inches high.

It is one of the most productive of all the varieties, though inferior in quality to the Common Lentil.

One-Flowered Lentil.

Ervum monanthos.

The stem of this quite distinct species is from twelve to fifteen inches high; the flowers are yellow, stained or spotted with black, and produced one on a foot-stalk; the pods are oval, smooth, and contain three or four globular, wrinkled, grayish-brown seeds, nearly a fourth of an inch in diameter.

About five hundred and fifty seeds are contained in an ounce.

The One-flowered Lentil is inferior to most of the other sorts; but is cultivated to some extent, in France and elsewhere, both for its seeds and herbage.

Red Lentil. Law.

Seeds of the size and form of those of the Common Lentil, but of a reddish-brown color; flowers light-red. Its season of maturity is the same with that of the last named.

Small Lentil. Law.

Lentille petite. Vil.

Seeds about an eighth of an inch in diameter; flowers reddish; and pods often containing two seeds.

This is the "Lentille petite" of the French; and is the variety mostly sown for green food in France, although its ripe seeds are also used. It is rather late, and grows taller than any of the other sorts, except the Green Lentil. When sown in drills, they should be from ten to fifteen inches apart, and the plants about four or five inches distant in the rows.

The Lentils are of a close, branching habit of growth; and a single plant will produce a hundred and fifty and often a much greater number of pods.