228 VEGETABLE GARDENING 



varieties were those far excelling in quality anything 

 found among those of a dwarf habit, but recent intro- 

 ductions of the latter kinds have shown a great improve- 

 ment in quality, until now the dwarf sorts are generally 

 grown, even by the most fastidious. 



In common practice the seed is sown about four inches 

 deep, in rows three feet apart, putting about ten seeds 

 to each foot of row. It is best to sow plenty of seed in 

 order to secure a good stand. The land should be well 

 cultivated between the rows. Unleached wood ashes 

 or some other fertilizer rich in potash and phosphoric 

 acid is most beneficial for this crop. As it belongs to the 

 leguminous section of plants, it is a nitrogen-gatherer and, 

 consequently, does not need much nitrogen in the soil. 

 Early peas as generally grown are out of the way in time 

 to allow the land to be used for late cabbage or string beans. 



When it is desired to extend the season of table peas, 

 successive sowings should be made at intervals of two 

 weeks, up to the tenth of June. During the summer the 

 vines are too liable to mildew to make late spring planting 

 successful. The pea is distinctively a cool weather plant, 

 and on this account it will often do well when sown in the 

 latter part of summer for use in autumn. 



The canning of peas is an important industry in some 

 sections and could be more readily introduced into other 

 sections to advantage. In sowing peas for canneries it 

 is the practice in some sections to sow them with a common 

 grain drill and to harvest with machinery. The Alaska is the 

 variety very largely grown for canning. Its pods mature 

 almost at one time, which is a desirable character. They 

 are shelled by machinery and are graded into various 

 sizes by passing over sieves. Gross returns for peas vary 

 with the market and the variety from $25 to $100 per acre. 



