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stalks. This practice not only led to easier bean harvests, it made it possible to grow good crops of com on the same ground for several years in a row.
Saw Effect of
Nitrogen in Soil
The native Americans did not understand why this worked but, by observing the benefits, were able to take advantage of the fact that beans actually improved the soil by helping to extract nitrogen from the atmosphere and storing it in the soil. The oldest known variety of beans, the “White Half Runner," has been planted for as long as records exist by mountain residents in the Southeastern United States.
Another crop grown by the North American Indians was the sunflower. It is the only important crop plant to have actually been domesticated in what is now the United States. All other crops were brought here by the native Americans after domestication. Surprisingly, the sunflower did not become important as a food plant until it was carried;to Russia where it was fund to be suitable for growth in large areas of that vast country. This led to the development of several new varieties.
(Dr. Diane Relf is a horticulture specialist icith Virginia Cooperatice Extension and is a member of the faculty of Virginia Tech.)
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