EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETINS. 423 



The test of peas for 1897, was confined to the novelties and new varieties, 

 together with some of the standard sorts for comparison. The plot selected 

 was on the south side of the vegetable garden, directly west of the standpipe. 



The seed was sown Wednesday, May 5, two inches apart in double drills 

 about four inches deep, using twelve feet for each variety. The conditions 

 of the soil and weather were such that a large per cent grew. The rains 

 during the early part of the season were sufficient to promote a strong 

 growth of vines, well set with pods; but the extremely hot weather the last 

 of June and first of July, would have shortened the crops and seriously 

 affected the yield, had not water been applied by our irrigating system, 

 which greatly increased the length of the edible period. 



The standard varieties noted are used as representative types of the dif- 

 ferent classes with which to compare the new sorts. 



Class I. — Plants tall, averaging three to four feet, seeds white or cream 

 colored; pods edible. 



Tall Grey Sugar, sent out by Vaughan, was the sole representative of 

 this class; a very tall growing variety with strong rank vines, very spread- 

 ing. The pods are long, broad, very tender and sweet; used the same as 

 string beans. The peas are large, plump, very tender, and rich flavored. 

 If this variety was more prolific, it would be a desirable sort. 



Class II. — Plants tall, averaging three to four feet; curved pods, white 

 or cream colored seeds. 



Champion of England, one of the older sorts, can be taken as a true 

 standard for this class, as it is one of the best varieties for the home or 

 market garden. 



The additions to this class are: 



Morning Star, from Chiids, a tall growing variety, with very fine, branch- 

 ing vines; quite productive, pods well filled, with plump sweet peas of fine 

 texture. 



Prolific, sent out by Livingston, is an exceedingly strong grower and 

 very productive, but seemed to be rather susceptible to mildew, as it was 

 one of the two varieties that showed traces of it. The pods are long, broad, 

 irregular in shape, and filled with peas of high quality. The blossoms are 

 of a pink color and make it quite attractive. It promises to be of value as 

 a late variety. 



Surprise, from Gregory, seemed to be quite typical of its name as, sowed 

 one week later than the other varieties, it made a very rapid growth and 

 reached maturity sooner than several of the smaller sorts. 



The vines are very slender and branching, and it dries quickly in hot 

 weather, which shortens its edible period. The pods are regular in form, 

 of good size, and are filled with tender, sugary peas. 



Telephone, also belongs to this class, but it is an old variety much like 

 Champion of England, except being a few days earlier and of shorter edible 

 maturity. 



Charmer, a new variety sent out by Vick. The plants are from three to 

 five feet high, with light colored foliage; lacking in productiveness. Pods 

 are long, slim, slightly curved, pointed at the apex, and fairly well filled 

 with plump, sweet peas. 



Grants Favorite. — Introduced by Burpee. 



The vines are tall, rank growers, with dense, dark colored foliage, not 

 easily affected by dry weather. Stipules short, pods long, broad, nearly 

 straight, blunt at the apex, and well filled with peas. The peas are plump, 

 tender, and very rich in flavor. 



