138 THE KITCHEN-GARDEN. [CHAP. VL 



Late peas only differ in their culture from the 

 early crops in having their drills farther from 

 each other, and in the peas being placed 

 farther apart in the drills. A pint of these 

 peas is calculated to sow thirty-three yards of 

 rows; as peas of the larger kinds should be 

 from one inch to two inches, or even more, 

 apart in the drills, though dwarf marrowfats 

 and blue Prussians are frequently sown about 

 three in two inches. The time of sowing usually 

 varies from April to July ; but, where no early 

 peas are grown, even the late kinds may be 

 sown as early as February or March. The 

 tall-growing kinds should, however, never be 

 suffered to stand the winter ; and they should 

 not be sown before March, unless the weather 

 appear likely to be open, on account of the 

 greater difficulties attending tall-growing plants. 

 It may, indeed, be here observed, though the 

 fact is obvious, that all dwarf-growing plants 

 are much better adapted for forcing than the 

 tall-growing kinds, from their being much more 

 easily sheltered and protected. Peas are gene- 

 rally eaten when not more than a quarter ripe 

 for using as seed, and they should always be 

 cooked as soon as possible after they are 

 gathered, as they are, perhaps, more injured by 

 keeping than any other vegetable. The pea is 

 a native of the South of Europe, and it is sup- 

 posed to have been introduced in the reign of 

 Henry VIII. 



Beans, though belonging to the same natural 

 order as peas, and generally classed with them 

 by persons speaking of garden products, yet 

 differ in several very important particulars in 



