PEA — PEPPER 



491 



There is great difference in quality between the smooth and the 

 wrinkled peas. The first are a little the earliest to be planted and to 

 become fit for use, and on that account should be planted in a small 

 way; but the wrinkled sorts are much superior in quality. 



The early crop of peas may be forwarded by sprouting the seeds in- 

 doors. Soil may be made too rich or strong for peas. 



For the kitchen-garden the dwarf and half-dwarf varieties are the 

 best, as the tall kinds will need brush or wire to support them, causing 

 considerable trouble and labor and not being as neat in appearance. 

 The dwarf varieties should be planted four rows in a block, each row 

 being only 6 or 8 inches apart. The peas on the two center rows 

 may be picked from the outside. Leave a space of 2 feet and plant 

 the same. 



The tall varieties yield a larger crop than the dwarfs, but as the rows 

 must be made from 3 to 5 feet apart, the dwarf ones, which are 

 planted only 6 to 8 inches apart, will give as large a yield on the 

 same area. Always plant double rows of the tall varieties ; that is, 

 two rows from 4 to 6 inches apart, with the brush or wire between, 

 the double rows being from 3 to 5 feet apart, according to varieties. 



At the time of the first planting only the smooth varieties should be 

 sown, but by the middle of April in New York the ground will be warm 

 and dry enough for wrinkled sorts. Succession crops should be sown 

 that will come to maturity one after 

 the other, extending the season six 

 or eight weeks. If a further supply 

 is wanted, the early quick-maturing 

 varieties may be sown in August, 

 usually giving a fair crop of peas in 

 September and early October. In 

 the hot weather of midsummer 

 they do not thrive so well. One 

 quart of seed will plant about 100 

 feet of drill. 



Pepper. — The garden pepper 

 is not the pepper of commerce ; it 

 is more properly known as red 



312. One of the bell peppers. 



