Peas — Old and New Varieties. 223 



ties, and largely sent out to this country as substitutes for the true 

 American Tom Thumb; also Multum in Pai'vo, and the Advance — 

 the latter superior ; Dwarf Waterloo, everywhere highly prized ; 

 Dwarf Peabody, productive and good ; and the universally popular and 

 indispensable McLean's Little Gem. 



No variety, however, is more dwarfish in habit, better defined, or 

 really more permanent than the American Tom Thumb. With regard 

 to quality, we regret to say it is somewhat deficient. In order to obtain 

 anything of the tender, sugary character common to many peas, the 

 pods must be plucked even while scaixely half grown. But it is hardv 

 and early, and the pods are large and abundant ; and these properties 

 will secure for it a place in the garden, to the exclusion of other kinds 

 much more meritorious. 



Of the numerous samples of seeds received from Europe under 

 the name of Tom Thumb, few, if any, have proved identical with the 

 Tom Thumb as generally known and cultivated in this country, though 

 we have been informed that the stock imported by most seed-dealers 

 for the spring of 1870 was raised from seeds American grown. 



Among the intermediate and later descriptions, we have the Cham- 

 pion of England, old, but still the criterion of excellence ; the British 

 Queen, almost its rival ; the Napoleon and Eugenie, standard kinds ; 

 the Qiieen of the Marrows, much less grown than it deserves ; Veitch's 

 Perfection, every way good ; and lastly, the tardy, but yet excellent. 

 Competitor. 



Glancing at the new varieties, we find Barr's Tom Thumb, a fine 

 pea, growing twelve inches high, and so prolific that " the rows were 

 literally smothered with large, well-filled pods ; " the Forty-fold and 

 Wonderful, first-class peas, and in season soon after the Champion of 

 England ; the Prince and Princess of Wales, not fully tested ; and the 

 Premier, which is said to be superior to the last named, and promises 

 to be an acquisition. 



To the list we would class as meritorious there should be added 

 Laxton's Long Pod and Laxton's Supreme. The former we have had 

 under trial, and regard it as one of the most productive and best. In 

 selecting for the main crop, it should not be overlooked. 



