THE PEA. 507 



staked require this support the most ; and they should have 

 the earth drawn up upon one side only, that the vines may 

 be thrown to one side ; which will both facilitate the opera- 

 tion of gathering, and keep the ground between them clear 

 at the same time, while it supports the necks of the plants 

 better than if the earth was drawn up on both sides. 



Mildew. One of the most successful cultivators (T. A. 

 Knight) says, u The secondary and immediate cause of this 

 disease is a want of a sufficient supply of moisture from the 

 soil, with excess of humidity in the air, particularly if 

 the plants be exposed to a temperature below that to which 

 they have been accustomed. If damp and cloudy weather 

 succeed that which has been warm and bright, without 

 the intervention of sufficient rain to moisten the ground 

 to some depth, the crop is generally much injured by 

 mildew." 



While engaged in the production of those excellent peas 

 which bear his name, he proved this theory by warding off 

 mildew by copious waterings of the roots. The fashionable 

 remedy, at present, is the application of sulphur. This, no 

 doubt, subdues the disease, but does not remove the cause. 



Gathering. The crop should be gathered as it becomes 

 fit for use. If even a few of the pods begin to ripen, young 

 pods will not only cease to form, but those partly advanced 

 will cease to enlarge. 



Use. In a sanitary point of view, peas cannot be eaten 

 too young, nor too soon after they are gathered ; and hence 

 people who depend on the public markets for their supply 

 seldom have this very popular vegetable in perfection, and 

 too often only when it is almost unfit for use. This is a 

 formidable objection to the use of peas brought from long 

 distances. It is, of course, for the interest of the producer 

 to keep back his peas till they are fully grown, because they 

 measure better, and, we believe, by many are purchased 



