BEANS AND PEAS 57 



relished. The Wrinkled-seeded sorts are softer and more 

 tender; if planted too early the seed is likely to rot in 

 the soil, but the quaHty of the crop is very good and the 

 peas remain on the vines in good condition for some time. 

 Practically it is scarcely worth while to plant the smooth 

 sorts, like Alaska, except to get two or three very early 

 pickings. The smooth sorts may be planted as soon as 

 the frost is out of the ground, but the others should 

 not be planted until two or three weeks later. 



Culture 



The most approved way of planting Peas is to have two 

 parallel rows about six inches apart, with about two 

 feet distance between each double set. Then in the case 

 of the taller sorts, brush may be placed in the six-inch 

 space and serve for both rows, or in the case of medium 

 or dwarf forms the vines will support one another. For 

 early crops the dwarf varieties are planted, and for late 

 the tall ones, though many people prefer to plant for 

 midseason and late crops a succession of such a splendid 

 variety as the Telephone. Peas thrive best on a light, 

 loamy soil. On a heavy soil, especially if rich in nitro- 

 gen, they are likely to run to vine rather than to pods. 

 A little quick-acting fertilizer in the rows at planting 

 time helps to get the seedlings well started. 



Enemies 



The most destructive fungous diseases of Peas are the 

 Spot and the Powdery Mildew. The Spo^. attacks stems, 

 leaves, and pods, forming characteristic blackish blotches 

 and interfering with the growth of the plant. The 



