]ackjon B. Hester 307 



sium were added to the various pots in combination with phosphate 

 and certain minor elements. Peas grown on soil receiving 60 per cent 

 muriate of potash at the rate of 400 to 500 pounds per acre showed a 

 more pleasing green color and cooked more rapidly than peas without 

 potassium. Experimental plots using the fertilizer formula 0-20-36 at 

 the rate of 0, 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600 pounds per acre gave yields of 

 dry peas as follows: 851, 985, 1046, 1212, 11 18, and 1364 pounds per acre. 

 However, the more pleasing thing was that the peas receiving the 

 heaviest application of fertilizer had the best color and cooking qualities. 



CANNING PEAS 



Specific requirements are placed upon every crop used in the pro- 

 cedure of making soup. For instance, the peas used should be small 

 and dark green. The No. 2 and 3's are more desirable than the larger 

 peas. For a number of years peas have been grown in Pennsylvania 

 and New Jersey. However, most of these peas have been used primarily 

 as a frozen pack. No particular emphasis was placed upon the produc- 

 tion of peas in Pennsylvania; consequently, the yields were relatively 

 low. The average yield from 1928 to 1932 was approximately 1700 

 pounds per acre. However, the varieties planted were the large seeded 

 type unsuitable for soup production. 



An intensive research program was started to increase both the 

 yield and quality of peas produced. Three factors were found to be 

 limiting in the soil: (a) the soil reaction or lime status, too acid, (b) 

 insufficient nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium were being used for 

 maximum production, and (<r) improper methods of applying fertilizer 

 were being employed. 



Some of the soils on which attempts were made to grow peas were 

 as acid as pH 5.0. These soils were largely the Penn silt loam, Lansdale 

 loam, Bucks silt loam, and related types. However, many peas were 

 planted on the Hagerstown silt loam which is a soil derived from lime- 

 stone and has a pH value generally around 6.5. The initiation of a con- 

 scientious liming program improved the soils physically and made the 

 conditions in the soil favorable for the proper use of fertilizer materials. 

 The small type of pea (deep green Superlaska) was found to be most 

 satisfactory. Using fertilizer mixtures such as 0-9-9, 3-9-9, 6-9-9, an ^ 9"9"9 



