OF AGRICULTURE. 109 



very rich soil produces a most luxuriant growth of 

 vines, especially in the " Southern pea," but the 

 quantity of seed is then but small. On medium soil 

 the crop of vines is not so heavy, but the seed crop 

 abundant. Even a very poor soil will generally pro- 

 duce a crop sufficient, when turned under, to add 

 considerably to its fertility. South of 37, north 

 latitude, almost any soil may be restored to fertility 

 from the most exhausted condition, by cultivating the 

 pea, with the application of some form of lime, either 

 marl, caustic lime, plaster or ashes, attended with 

 proper rotation, and as frequent plowing as possible. 

 Plowing for the pea crop should be deep and 

 thorough. The roots penetrate a well-broken soil to 

 a great depth, and as the plant gathers mineral sub- 

 stance largely through its roots, especially lime and 

 potash, with sulphuric acid and phosphoric acid, 

 these will be transferred from a lower to the higher 

 parts of the soil, and be left by the decaying roots 

 in a good condition, to be taken up by succeeding 

 crops of grain, tobacco or cotton. 



PLANTING OR SOWING PEAS. 



The methods adopted for planting may vary with 

 the object to be attained. If the crop is cultivated 

 for seed and forage, the largest yield can be obtained 

 by cultivating in rows, varying in distance accord- 

 ing to the pea to be planted. The varieties which 

 grow erect (bush pea) may be sown in rows two or 

 three feet apart. Those which spread their vines, 

 like most of the Southern peas, should be in rows 

 fitmi three to four and a half feet apart. If the 

 object is to plow the pea vines under, the land should 



