PART VI 



VEGETABLE FORCING 



The Pea. — The Dwarf Peas are easily forced in pots; 8-iuch 

 pots are very suitable. Start the first crop in Novembei'. A 

 cool, light, dry house or pit is the best place for them, and the 

 soil should be good tiu'fy loam, enriched, as far as is necessary, 

 with old manure or leaf-moiUd — something wholesome and sweet. 

 Plant the Peas moderately, thin all over the surface of the 

 pot, leaving space to add a little fresh soil when they are 3 

 inches high. They should be as near as possible to the glass, 

 and a little fire, if the place is heated, may be given in severe 

 weather to keep out frost ; or if they are grown in a turf pit, 

 coverings may be used in severe weather. Peas under glass will 

 not bear much artificial heat. It weakens the haulm, and a 

 weakly drawn-up stem cannot be expected to carry a large number 

 of well -filled pods. Peas may be planted in pots any time 

 l3etween November and February. Or they may be planted 

 anywhere under glass, during the same period, but they must 

 have plenty of light and free ventilation. Even Dwarf Peas do 

 better when kept in an erect position. So, when 3 inches high, 

 a few small light sticks shoidd be placed round the edge of the 

 pots for the Peas to cling to. The same attention should be given 

 to Peas planted in the borders of a vegetable forcing-house, or in 

 a pit used for the same purpose. 



Late Peas Under Glass. — Peas may be had later in 

 autumn in pots under glass than is possible in the open air, even 

 when the season is more than usually favourable. Sow a dwarf 

 early kind in August and again in September. Stand the pots 

 under the shelter of a north wall for a month or six weeks. 

 Move to a pit or light house, and ventilate freely. There is not 



