CHICK-PEA. 489 



dry, it must be classed as one of the best, and is recommended 

 for cultivation. 



A sub-variety of the Common Sieva ; the Mettled 

 principal, if not the only, mark of distinction is 

 in the variegated character of the seeds, which are dull- 

 white, spotted and streaked with purple. 



It is sometimes described as being earlier than the Com- 

 mon variety ; but, from various experiments in the cultiva- 

 tion of both varieties, there appears to be little if any differ- 

 ence in their seasons of maturity. The color and form of 

 the flower are the same as the Sieva ; the pods are of the 

 same size and shape, and the leaves have the same elongated 

 form, and smooth, glossy appearance. 



Mr. John M. Ives states that the variety originated in 

 Dauvers, Essex County, Mass. 



CHICK-PEA. 



Egyptian Pea. Cicer arietinum. 



The Chick-pea is a' hardy, annual plant, originally from 

 the south of Europe, but also indigenous to the north of 

 Africa and some parts of Asia. The stem is two or three 

 feet high, erect and branching ; the leaves are pinnate, with 

 from six to nine pairs of oval, grayish, toothed leaflets ; the 

 flowers resemble those of the Common Pea, and are pro- 

 duced on long peduncles, generally singly, but sometimes 

 in pairs ; the pods are about an inch long, three fourths of 

 an inch broad, somewhat rhomboidal, hairy, inflated or 

 bladder-like, and contain two or three globular, wrinkled, 

 pea-like seeds. 



Sowing and Cultivation. The seed should be sown in 

 April, in the manner of the Garden-pea ; making the drills 



