The Culture of Vegetables 



the previous year occupied with Celery and other crops for which 

 the land was freely manured and much knocked about. Heavy 

 manuring is not needed for the earliest crops, unless the soil is very 

 poor, but for the late crops it will always pay to trench the ground, 

 and put a good body of rotten manure at the depth of the first spit, 

 for the roots to run in about the time when the pods are swelling. 

 In all cases it is advisable not to enrich in any special manner the 

 top crust for Peas. When the young plant finds abundant nutriment 

 near at hand, it does not root freely, and is actually in danger of 

 being poisoned ; but when the plant is fairly formed, and has entered 

 upon the fruiting stage, the roots may ramify in rich soil to advantage. 

 Hence the desirability of growing Peas in ground that was heavily 

 manured and frequently stirred in the previous year, and of putting a 

 coat of rotten manure between the two spits in trenching. As regards 

 the last-named operation, it should be remarked that as Peas require 

 a somewhat fine tilth, the top spit should be kept on the top where 

 the second spit will prove lumpy, pasty, or otherwise unkind. In 

 this case bastard trenching will be sufficient ; but when the second 

 spit may be brought up with safety, it should be done for the sake of 

 a fresh soil and a deep friable bed. 



Early Peas are produced in many ways. The simplest consists 

 in sowing one or more of the quick-growing varieties in November, 

 December, and January, on sloping sheltered borders expressly 

 prepared for the purpose, and provided with reed hurdles to screen 

 the plants from cutting winds. Where the assaults of mice are to be 

 apprehended, it is an excellent plan to soak the seed in paraffin oil 

 for twenty minutes, and then, having sown in drills only one inch 

 deep, heap over the drill three inches of fine sand. If this cannot 

 be done, sow in drills fully two inches deep, for shallow sowing will not 

 promote earliness, but it is likely to promote weakness of the plant. 

 It is not usual to grow any other crop with first early Peas, but the 

 rows must be far enough apart to prevent them from shading one 

 another, and, if possible, let them run north and south, that they 

 may have an equable enjoyment of sunshine. As soon as the plant 

 is fairly out of the ground, dust carefully with soot, not enough to 

 choke the tender leaves, but just sufficient to render them unpalat- 

 able to vermin. When they have made a growth of about three 

 inches, put short brushwood to support and shelter them, deferring 

 the taller sticks until they are required. Then fork the ground 

 between, taking care not to go too near to the plant. Sticks must 

 be provided in good time, lest the plant should be distressed, for not 



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