THE PEA. 517 



According to the Messrs. Lawson, this is the oldest, and 

 for a long period was the best known and most extensively 

 cultivated, of all the varieties of white garden-peas. Its 

 history can be traced as far back as 1670 ; and from that 

 time till about 1770, or nearly a century, it continued to stand 

 first in catalogues as the earliest pea, until it was supplanted 

 by the Early Frame, about 1770. It is further said by some 

 to be the source from which the most esteemed early garden, 

 varieties have arisen, and that they are nothing else than the 

 Early Charlton Pea, considerably modified in character from 

 the effects of cultivation and selection. Although this idea 

 may seem far-fetched, it is not improbable, especially when 

 we take into consideration the susceptibility of change, from 

 cultivation and other causes, which the Pea is ascertained to 

 possess. Thus if the Early Charlton, or any other variety, 

 be sown for several years, and only the very earliest and 

 very latest flowering-plants be selected for seed each season, 

 the difference in the time of ripening between the two will 

 ultimately become so great as to give them the appearance 

 of two distinct varieties ; and by sowing the earlier portion 

 on light, early soils, and the later on strong, black, coarse, 

 or low soils, the difference will become materially increased. 

 It is therefore probable that the Early Frame, with its nu- 

 merous sub-varieties (including the Dan O'Rourke, Prince 

 Albert, Early Kent, and a multitude of others), may have 

 originated in the Charlton, though some of them differ essen- 

 tially in their habit of growth. 



The various names by which it has been known are Read- 

 ing Hotspur, Master's or Flander's Hotspur, Golden Hotspur, 

 Brompton Hotspur, Essex Hotspur, Early Nicol's Hotspur, 

 Charlton Hotspur, and finally Early Charlton, the last name 

 becoming general about 1750. 



An English writer remarks, "that the variety now exists 

 only in name. That which is sold for the Early Charlton is 

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