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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Citizens News, 1973-08-23, Page 35CITIZENS NEWS SOUVENIR. EDITION PAGE 11 6 Growing Field Beans in Ontario by ONTARIO FIELD BEAN COMMITTEE A number of different types of field beans have been produced in Ontario as a commercial field crop since about 1856. The best known of the field beans, the white bean, often called "Navy bean" or "Pea bean", is grown on more. acres than all the other types of field beans together. At one time or another, most counties in Southern Ontario have had some Kean production. Today over 98% of all the field beans produced in Canada are grown in six counties in southwestern -Ontario. Few crops are produced in such a limited geographic area in Ontario and fewer still are subject to as many problems of crop production as is the field bean crop. As a result field bean prices and yields have fluctuated con- siderably from year to year, SELECTION OF VARIETIES The navy or white bean is the predominant type of field bean produced in Ontario. Colored types, such as red kidney, yellow eye, cranberry, and pinto, do not occupy more than 2 or 3% of the total acreage. The colored beans are usually produced under contract to supply the specific requirements of processors. Three main growth types are available for commercial production — bush, semi -bush, and vine. The bush type has a tendency to stand upright witli most pods free of the soil surface. In contrast, the vine type is weak - stemmed and covers the soil surface until it becomes difficult to determine the rows readily. The bush type is preferred particularly where white mold is a problem because better air circulation allows the foliage to dry quickly .following rains and heavy dews. Varieties suitable for Michigan 'conditions the usually well adapted to Ontario, and consequently the beet varie- ties released for use in that state are usually recommended in Ontario. White bean 'varieties are also being developed in Ontario to provide the grower with types that have -high yield, disease resistance, and tolerance to bronzing. New strains that show promise are carefully evaluated before being recommended. WHITE VARIETIES • Sanilac — is a bush variety of medium maturity with small, white seed. It is resistant to common bean mosaic and anthracnose. Seaway — is a bush variety with small, white seed. It is two to three days earlier in maturity than Sanilac, resistant to common bean mosaic but susceptible to anthracnose. Seafarer _ is a bush variety similar in maturity, yield, and seed size to Seaway. It is resistant to anthracnose and common bean mosaic. Seed supplies will be limited until 1971. COLORED VARIETIES Steubgn — is a yellow -eyed variety selected at Ithaca, N.Y. It is a bush variety 10 days later in maturity than Sanilac, with large, white seeds that have a yellow saddle and white hilum. It is susceptible to common bean mosaic and prevalent strains of anthracnose. CLIMATIC ADAPTATION Field beans grow best in a warm, humid climate where rainfall is adequate but not excessive, and where a killing frost does not occur before early September. For this reason southwestern Ontario is particularly well suited for field bean production, Both growth and development of field beans are par- ticularly sensitive to prevailing climatic conditions during the growing season. The stage of growth at which such conditions occur is of major importance, While tempera- ture appears to he the most critical factor involved, humidity and rainfall are also important, especially during the bloom and pod -set periods. Excessive 'rainfall and humidity encourage the spread of bacterial and fungal dis- eases which attack the foliage and cause reduction in yield and seed quality. A period �of cool, damp weather follow- ing pod -set .may delay maturity considerably because the crop continues to grow vegetatively. SOIL REQUIREMENTS In most cases, highest yields and most suitable crop production conditions occur when beans are grown on well -drained clay loam, loam, or sandy loam soils. Since the crop is usually planted in early summer and harvested before fall rains occur, and since the root system k ex- tremely sparse and shallow, a soil with a high percentage of organic matter is desirable. CROP ROTATION The highest yields are usually produced when field beans follow a well-manurcd legume sod; however, satis- factory yields are possible where liberal amount; of ferti- lizer are used on the other crops in the rotation, even in the absence of manure. Because of the possible buildup of insects and diseases, a rotation in which beans do not „occur more often than once every three years i; essential. Beans are particularly sensitive to certain herbicide resi- dues such as atrazine. For this reason extreme care must be used in applying herbicides to any crop that is to precede a bean crop. FERTILIZATION Soils high in fertility are necessary for optimum field bean production. However, unlike most field crops, beans do not often respond to direct application of commercial fertilizers, A. high level of fertility may best hr maintained by application of adequate amounts of fertilizer to other crops in the rotation. If fertilizer is to he applied at planting time, a planter with a separate shoe is desirable so that the fertiliser may be placed 2 inches to the side and 2 inches below the seed. As an alternative. fertilizer may he plowed down or worked in before planting. FERTILIZER NEEDS FOR i'IFI.D BEAN PRO- DUCTION SHOULD 13[ i)I:TERVIINI D FROM A SOIL TEST. The following general fertiliser recommen- dations should he followed only when a soil test report is not available. On sandy or loamy soils usc 15 lbs N, 60 lbs P,0„ 60 lbs K_0 per acre, e.g. 6-24-24 (a 1-4-4 ratio) , at 250 lbs per acre. On clay soils usc 15 lbs N, 60 lbs 30 lbs K.,0 per acre, e.g. 8-32-16 fa 1-4-2 ratio). at 200 lbs per acre. Where manure is applied, reduce the tot+il fertilizer application by one-third. After a legunc sod, use 0-20-20 (a 0-1-1 ratio) on sandy and loamy soils, and 0-20-10 (a 0-2-1 ratio) on clay soils at 300 lbs per acre. FOLIAR APPLICATION OF N, P AND K IS NOT RECOM- MENDED. SOIL PREPARATION AND PLANTING Soil preparation should begin in mid-May to allow for some preplanting cultivation and herbicide applica- tions. Since white beans are a sensitive crop, it is essential that the seed be placed in warm, loose soil with sufficient moisture to ensure uniform emergence. Research results have shown that for maximum yields, the best date of planting varies with location. It ranges from June 1 to June 10 in area 13 (2600 to 2900 heat units), to June 10 to June 20 in area A (more than 2900 heat units). (See Map, Figure 1.) Planting at these times allows harvest to begin shortly after September 1, at which time good har- vest weather is likely to prevail. At Brucefield (area 13) the probability of getting a givennumber of consecutive (continued on page 12) • Testy Recipes RANCH BEANS FOR THE GANG 12 cups canned beans 2 med onions diced and sauteed 1/4 cup brown sugar 1/4 tsp salt 1/1 tsp pepper 3 dashes Tobasco 1 bottle ketchup 1 cup of ale Bake at 350 deg. for 1 hour. Bac- on strips may be placed over the top for extra flavor. COUNTRY STYLE 1 lb. dry beans 2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp pepper 1 clove garlic chopped 1 hay leaf 2 med onions chopped 1green pepper chopped 3 peeled tomatoes chopped 1/2 tsp oregano (optional) 1/4 cup parsley chopped 6 strips bacon Simmer beans in water to cover with salt, pepper, garlic and bay leaf till just tender. Fry bacon strips till crisp, then remove from pan. Saute onions rill golden in the drippings, then add pepper and tomatoes and cool< 5 minutes more. Stir in oregano and parsley. Drain beans and mix thoroughly with all other ingredients including bacon which has been crumbled. Place in pot or casserole, adding bean liquid to cover. Bake in 350 deg. oven for 1 hour or more, adding liquid if necessary. FROM SWEDEN - BEAN BAKE 4 cups canned baked beans 1 large apple chopped 1/4 cup raisins 1/2 cup onion chopped 3/4 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup sweet relish 1 tbsp prepared mustard 3/4 cup ketchup 4 strips bacon fried and crumbled Mix all ingredients. Bake in covered casserole at 250 deg. about 11/2 hours. 6 to 8 servings. BEANS MEXICALI 1- 28 oz. can deep browned bean 1 - 14 oz. can cornel corn 1 - 19 oz. can tomatoes 1/2 lb. cooked lean ground beef 1 tsp. sugar 1/2 tsp. Accent 1/8 tsp. pepper 1 cup buttered soft bread or cracker crumbs 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese 1. Arrange beans and corn in alternate layers in a 2 qt. casserole. Top with cooked ground beef. 2. Mix tomatoes, sugar and seasoning. Pour over bean mixture. Top with crumbs and sprinkle with cheese and paprika. 3. Bake uncovered at 375 deg. for 30 minutes. KIDNEY BEAN RELISH 1 small onion 3 stalks celery 2 hard boiled eggs 2 cups kidney beans (drained) 1 tbsp mayonnaise 2 tsp mustard relish 1 tsp curry powder 1/4 tsp white pepper 1/2 tsp salt Chop onion, celery and eggs together. Add beans and mix in mayonnaise, relish and other seasonings. Serve cool and keep refrigerated. 6 servings.