57 I THE farmers' handbook. 



For fodder purposes peas may either be grown in. rows or broadcasted. In 

 the former case the rows are drilled 2 feet to 3 feet apart, and the seed sown 

 at the rate of 15 to 30 lb. per acre, the exact quantity depending on the size 

 of the seed and the luxuriance of the variety. When broadcasted, the seed 

 is sown from 1 to 1* bushels per acre. In a good season this produces a thick 

 stand of succulent but nourishing fodder. Until nearing the flowering stage 

 the vines grow fairly upright, and are easy to harvest. At a later stage this 

 operation is more difficult, but the full feed value of the crop is obtained. 



When grown for pigs the vines are allowed to bear pods, and when in the 

 dough stage are eaten off. The pigs will harvest the pods and eat at the 

 same time a good quantity of the greenstuff. If the vines are dead ripe 

 trouble is often experienced from the pigs eating the hard grain, and 

 consequently suffering from digestive troubles. 



Field-pea hay is of excellent quality, but very difficult to make. This is 

 especially so when the vines are allowed to reach that stage when they 

 contain their full nutritive value. 



A question of importance in broadcasting is to bury the seed sufficiently 

 deep, which in normal soils will be 2 to 3 inches. Harrowing it in on 

 freshly-ploughed ground will often act satisfactorily, as the seed mostly 

 falls between the crowns of the furrows. Seed should not, on any account, 

 be sown on smooth land with the intention of only harrowing it in. If the 

 land needs a second and a shallow ploughing, the seed can be broadcasted in 

 front of the plough. 



Drilling is recommended where possible instead of broadcasting, as 1 

 bushel of seed per acre will be sufficient, with £ to 1 cwt. superphosphate. 

 The seed can be buried at a more uniform depth, and less seed is necessary 

 than with broadcasting. As the seed is expensive this is worthy of con- 

 sideration. Farmers are advised to grow their own seed. 



Peas will stand a great deal of dry weather, but, on the other hand, will 

 suffer from too much rain. If the soil does not go out of condition during 

 the growing period they will yield heavy crops on a medium rainfall. 

 and leave the land in fine working condition. 



Caution should be observed in feeding a succulent growth of field-peas 

 to cattle, particularly if hungry, owing to the liability of " bloat " or 

 hoven. 



Field-peas are specially valuable in districts where trefoil and clover 

 are scarce in the natural pastures, and in their adaptability for mixing 

 with cereals. 



Field Peas Combined with Cereals. 



In addition to the combination with maize already mentioned, field- 

 peas can be grown with any of the winter cereals. The mixture of peas 

 and oats is a well-recognised and valuable combination where these crops 

 will grow, although the yield from wheat and peas has given decidedly 

 better results on the North Coast. 



As a green manure, peas can best be mixed with either barley or rye. 

 Especially on poor sandy soil, the rye combination gives a mass of green- 

 stuff which is of great value in improving the texture of the soil. The 



