548 THE GARDENER. [Dec 



to sow under glass at the beginning of the year, and to transplant about 

 the end of February or early in March, 



A sheltered dry rich border should be chosen for autumn sowing. 

 It should have a south exposure, and if closely sheltered from the 

 north by a high wall, and protection from east winds, with their wither- 

 ing effect upon vegetation, all the better. If the ground has been 

 heavily manured for a previous crop, and is naturally good, it will not 

 be necessary to add more manure for the Pea crop; but if otherwise, a 

 moderate dressing of well-decayed manure will be necessary — and, under 

 either circumstance, trench it 2 feet deep. The Peas are best sown as 

 the operation of trenching is proceeded with, so that all trampling on 

 the ground can be avoided. The earliest sorts seldom exceed 4 to 5 

 feet in height, and 4 to 5 feet is sufficient space between the rows. 

 Dryness and warmth of soil are always important conditions in raising 

 early crops. ' It is therefore not advisable to draw deep drills in the 

 level border for the reception of the seed, but, on the contrary, is 

 better to sow near the surface, and with a rake to draw a ridge over 

 the drills, so that the covering amounts to 3 or 4 inches of well-pulver- 

 ised mould. 



Mice, sparrows, and slugs are the great enemies of this crop, and a 

 sharp look-out must be kept on all three. A good old plan is to put 

 a covering of chopped whin or furze over the Peas before covering with 

 soil. This makes it rather an uncomfortable run for mice to work in. 

 But probably, the more effectual way is to poison and trap with perse- 

 verance. To keep sparrows at a distance is not an easy matter ; a 

 good way is to fix a stake at each end of every row, and to fix along 

 near the surface of the ridge a piece of string with feathers strung on 

 it. If not closely watched when coming through the ground, the 

 crop may be completely destroyed in a very short time by sparrows 

 where these pests are plentiful. Hot lime night and morning in mild 

 weather is the best destroyer of slugs, short of hand-picking early 

 in the morning. 



When they appear above ground, and severe weather is expected, 

 a little of the finest of the soil may be carefully drawn over them, or a 

 little leaf-mould or dry soil can be laid over them instead, especially 

 where the ground is of a heavy character. As soon as they are an 

 inch or two above ground, they are best staked at once, as the stakes 

 shelter them from cutting wind^ and frosts, and help to keep birds 

 from meddling with them, and their progress will be more rapid than 

 if left longer before being staked. 



If sown in October, and with ordinary spring v>^eather, they are 

 ready for table by the end of May in most parts of England. In 

 Scotland they are in most localities three weeks later. 



