CROPS 89 



Planting. The pea is a hardy, cool-loving plant and 

 the seed should be sown as soon as the ground can be 

 worked. The seed is usually sown in drills eighteen to 

 thirty inches apart, for a garden crop. As a field crop, 

 as when grown for canneries, the rows may be thirty-six 

 inches apart, or as is often done, the seed is sown with a 

 grain drill and the crop cut with a mowing machine. The 

 depth of planting varies from one to two inches, depending 

 upon the season and the soil. The earlier and cooler the 

 season the shallower should the planting be, while if the 

 season is advanced, or the soil light, the planting should 

 be deeper. 



Fertilizers. The pea requires but little nitrogenous 

 fertilizer, but should have a liberal application of a high 

 grade, complete fertilizer, containing 2% to 3% nitrogen, 

 8% of phosphoric acid and 10% of potash. Rotted 

 manure should be applied at the rate of 20 cords per 

 acre and ploughed in. 



Varieties. Peas are divided into two general types: 

 smooth peas and wrinkled peas. The smooth peas are the 

 hardier of the two, and are adapted for use as a field crop 

 or a garden crop. The wrinkled peas are less hardy than 

 the smooth peas, have finer flavor and are not adapted for 

 field purposes. 



The varieties may be divided into two groups, com- 

 prising the dwarf sorts and the tall or bush sorts. 



Gregory's Excelsior, Gradus, Nott's Excelsior, and 

 Thomas Laxton are excellent early varieties. 



Telegraph and Stratagem are fine late varieties. 



Harvesting. Peas are ready for harvesting as soon 

 as the seeds are large enough to "shell" easily. The garden 

 varieties are always gathered by hand. Two or more pick- 

 ings are required, and care must be exercised that the peas 



