Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Bean, the Kidney

BEAN, the Kidney, or Phaseolus, L. is a plant of one species, with several varieties. Those principally cultivated for the table, are, 1. The common white, or Dutch kidney bean; 2. The smaller kidney, commonly called the Battersea bean; and 3. The upright sort, called the Tree kidney-bean.

The first of these varieties grows very high, and requires long stakes and poles for its support; its beans are of a considerable size.

The second kind, or Battersea bean, is more generally cultivated: it never grows very high, and, on account of its moderate growth, the air can easily pass between the rows. It bears abundantly, and is the most savoury kind, except the Tree kidney-bean. This is also a plentiful bearer, never rambles far, and grows up in the form of a shrub; its beans are broader than those of the Battersea kind.

They are all propagated from seeds, which should be sown in dry weather, about the latter end of March, or the beginning of April, to produce an early crop; but they require a dry soil and warm situation. The best method of sowing is, to draw parallel lines over the bed, at two feet and a half distance, into which the seeds are dropped about two inches asunder, and the mould drawn over them to the depth of an inch, with the head of a rake. About a week after sowing, the plants will come up, when the mould should be raised round their stalks as they rise, they will require no farther care, except weeding, and when the beans appear, they should be gathered twice a week; for, if suffered to hang too long, they weaken the plant, and become of little value. The first crop of kidney-beans will continue a month; and to supply the table afterwards, there should be fresh sowings in March, April, May, and June, the last of which will be in season, till destroyed by the frost. Early crops may also be raised in hot-beds, in the same manner as early cucumbers.