452 VILLA GAEDENING part v 



up with the compost. The bottom of the trench will also be 

 stirred up and incorporated. All the stations required for the 

 late Peas should be got ready at the same time, and a stump 

 di'iven down at the end of each row, so that when one wants to 

 put in a row of Peas all he has to do is to place a line along the 

 line of stumps, draw a drill about 3 inches deep, and plant the 

 Peas. As regards the 



Manner of Planting the Peas, I should like to say a 

 few words. The large Marrow Peas should have room to branch 

 out, not only below the siuface, as the preparation of the site 

 suggested above will provide for, but also above the ground, and 

 this must be provided for by thin planting. From 2 to 3 inches 

 apart all over the drill will not be too much space to allow ; 

 and this will necessitate the careful distribution of the seeds 

 individually by hand. In dry weather the drills should be soaked 

 with water, and then covered with the dry soil drawn from the 

 drills. If mice are likely to be troublesome, dress the seeds with 

 red-lead, or keep traps set in the neighbourhood of the Pea row. 

 To do the late Peas justice the rows should be isolated, with other 

 dwarf crops between. Mulching with man\n-e is a very valuable 

 expedient, and in connection with a good preparation of the land 

 at this season should render watering, even in the driest weather, 

 unnecessary. The mulch, which should consist of half-decayed 

 stable-manure, should be spread on both sides of the rows of Peas, 

 18 inches or so wide, and 3 or 4 inches thick. 



Gathering the Peas. — This should be done carefully, and as 

 soon as they are fit for use. In many cases a second crop of young 

 shoots and blossoms will put forth, and a second crop of Peas, 

 which is very useful, will be produced. All annual plants will 

 make a supreme effort to produce seeds, and Peas are no exception 

 to this rule. 



Tall and Dwarf Peas. — Dwarf Peas are very useful where 

 sticks or supports cannot easily be obtained ; but where sticks do 

 not cost much, I should prefer, for the main crop, tall Peas, as 

 they are more prolific. In the case of all Peas requiring support — 

 and, if possible, all Peas, even those of dwarf habit, should be 

 supported — the sticks should be placed to the rows early, their 

 tops levelled with the shears, and the pieces cut off used between 

 the large sticks at the base, to prevent the plants straggling 

 through, and give them an upward tendency. In the lists which 

 foUow I give the heights of the different varieties, although, of 

 course, my readers wall understand that soils and seasons have 

 much to do with the height attained by Peas. 



Varieties. — First Earlies — Beck's Gem, 1 foot; American 



