58 ART OP GARDENING. 



The finest Marrowfat Peas grow very high, and require 

 long sticks. To save sticks, and to increase the yield, some 

 gardeners make two drills about three inches deep, and nine 

 inches apart, and drop the seed into both drills rather thick. 

 As the plants reach two or three inches in height, they 

 are hoed, and the earth brought up round the stems, and 

 when six or seven inches high they should be hoed again, 

 and a line of sticks placed between the rows, of a height 

 suitable to the variety of Pea. A few smaller sticks may 

 be put on the outside of the rows, as steps to lead to the main 

 centre sticks or poles. It is poor economy to use rotten and 

 brittle sticks. Rows are in such instances blown clown by 

 the wind, or by the first gathering of the vegetable. Some 

 people dip the ends of their sticks in tar or resinous prepa- 

 ration to keep them some seasons. 



Peas will grow either on light or heavy soils, but thrive 

 best on light ones. If the ground is too rich, they run to 

 vine, but yield poorly. 



PEPPER (Capsicum). 



Of this family there are several varieties. They belong 

 to the East and West Indies, but are easily grown in all the 

 States with a little care. They are often brought forward 

 in the hot-bed, and on reaching the height of two or three 

 inches are transplanted into good rich beds, with a sunny 

 exposure, allowing sufficient space between each for a hand- 

 hoe to be worked, as they require to be kept free from 

 weeds. 



Some of the pods of the different varieties are red, and 

 others yellow, on reaching maturity. They are gathered 

 green for pickling. 



The Capsicum grossum, or Bell-shaped, is in warm cli- 

 mates perennial. It has a thick skin, and is pulpy and 

 delicate in texture. 



