56 THE GARDENER. [Feb. 



of any kind of vegetable to be planted or sown. This, again, is im- 

 practicable, as the sizes of gardens, and the demands of different 

 establishments, vary considerably. I shall therefore make my remarks 

 as seasonable as possible, with perhaps a few suggestions as to quan- 

 tities to be grown. 



Sowiii'j Earl}/ Peas. — If not already done, it is advisable that a good 

 sowing should be made early in February. Nothing, however, will 

 be gained by sowing early, " in spite of everything" — quite the reverse, 

 as much depends upon having the ground in a suitable condition for 

 the reception of the seed. My practice is to sow on the first favourable 

 opportunity during January or early in February, taking care that the 

 soil is so far dry as not to bind badly when trodden. The ground 

 selected is generally previously occupied wdth either late Cauliflowers 

 or early Broccoli, which help to keep the soil somewhat dry. A dry 

 time prevailing, the manure is wheeled on, the ground deeply and 

 roughly dug, and allowed to lie till the next day, or perhaps for two 

 days, when it breaks up readily. If allowed to get sodden, it is weeks 

 before it is again in good condition; and on the other hand, if it gets 

 very dry and hard it also works badly. Although Peas delight in a 

 good depth of rich soil, we do not trench for the earliest, as we find 

 they succeed better on ground trenched the previous season for 

 Potatoes. It is better for being firm, and is also generally drier. In 

 the winter of 1877 we trenched for Peas, but owing to the continued 

 wet weather were obliged to shovel out the drills and use fresh light 

 and dry soil below and above the seed. Since that time we have 

 altered our practice. While on this subject I may remark that, with 

 this or any other important crop, it is imperative to " strike while the 

 iron is hot," — or to be plain, one man should not be set to do all the 

 important work, as that means many opportunities lost. Muster a 

 sufficient number of hands where possible, so as to get a job completed 

 quickly. 



To return to the Peas. Previous to sowing, our ground is well 

 trodden, and then stirred with a dung-fork. Wide drills are drawn 

 with a flat hoe, or thrown out with a spade, from 2 to 3 inches in depth, 

 and running from north to south if on a south border, or from east to 

 west if on a west border, either of which sites is suitable. The seed is 

 sown thinly, trodden in, and covered with soil, and the whole border 

 is then raked over. If circumstances are against the seed being sown 

 before February 14th, then seed should be sown in boxes — as advised 

 in the January number — placing these in a gentle heat, hardening off 

 before the plants are much drawn, and planting as previously advised ; 

 and to follow these, a sowing on the border should be made as soon as 

 possible. The best two early varieties I have grown are Harbinger and 

 William I., both of which I strongly recommend. If a third variety 

 is wanted, Sutton's Emerald Gem may be added : Harbinger was the 

 earliest last season by about a week, and is very productive and good in 



