Barberry (Berberis)

Beans are one of the most valuable plants because they not only produce food for man consumption, but improve the fertility of physical condition of the soil. Nitrogen, a most valuable plant food, is added to the soil by beneficial bacteria in the nodules which lives on the roots. These bacteria are capable absorbing the free nitrogen from the air, which, after the plants are harvested, is left in the soil. When enough organic matter is present, or if beans follow a legume sod crop, it is possible to have excellent yields with no added fertilizer. A small amount of phosphorus near the seeds, however, will usually enhance the growth.

Bush beans (also known as snap beans)is an excellent source of vitamins A and B2 and a good source of vitamin C. They also provide calcium and iron. Bush beans should be included in every garden because of the ease in growing and the wealth in harvesting them. Although beans are essentially warm-season plants, they It can be grown successfully in all sections of the country. Most varieties grow slowly at temperatures below 60F. (15.56C.) and perform best in the range of 75 to 85F. (23.89 to :9.44C.). The bush beans, while responding to rich soil and thorough cultivation, will succeed in almost any garden soil, from heavy clay to light could be applied borax application per acre.

Best results with barberries will be obtained if they are planted in moist, well-drained, light loamy soil, although the deciduous ones can stand drier conditions.

Species of deciduous barberries generally bloom in the spring and early summer with the attractive purplish fruit developing in late summer, fall or early winter.

Weeds can be a nuisance in beans, especially at harvest time. Those most frequently seen are lamb’s-quarters, red root pig weed, ragweed, fox tails, and quack grass. The best control comes from good seedbed preparation – starting early in spring and continuing until planting time.

The cultivation of the crop consists of stirring the soil frequently during the entire season of growth. Scrape the weeds away and don’t hoe deeply. The roots are close enough to the surface so that any deep or extensive cultivation will result in undesirable root pruning. It is essential that all weeds be kept down and that during times of drought a mulch is used to preserve moisture. Beans should be cultivated only when the leaves are turned up in the driest and lightest part of the day. Air can then flow under the leaves and around the stem. As evening approaches, the leaves become damp and droop down to where they can become damaged. Never cultivate while dew or rain are on the leaves since this spreads disease from one leaf to another.

Yellow dwarf virus, an aphid-transmitted virus, attacks barley at the seedling stage, and damages older grain, but is not very common. Fungus diseases do bother barley, especially in humid parts of the South. Resistant varieties have been developed, so the best thin to do is to check out which varieties are more resistant to the diseases encountered in your area. Greenbugs and corn leaf aphids both attack barley, but infestations are usually not severe. Even commercial growers do not use chemicals, but rely instead on natural predators. Barley can be stored and used in a bundle for stock feed. Animals like it less than wheat because of the hulls, and will consume more if the barley is ground.

You can feed sprouted barley to chickens with good results. The grain can be easily sprouted if the head end of the whole bundle is soaked in water until the grains sprout. Allow about five days at 60F. (15.56C.). You will soon learn how fast the barley sprouts and how many bundles you’ll have to keep soaking in order to have a constant supply of the sprouted grain. The chickens will eat the sprouts right out of the heads, and the straw will provide good bedding.