\ I i.l i A 1 : 1 l; I HOPS. G81 



two defined planting seasons, the second being from January and February 

 until just sufficient time is given to allow the crop to be gathered before the 

 early frosts of winter. In frost-free situations along the coaBt, planti&gs are 

 made in late autumn, and as the crop is harvested at a time when the 

 market is scarcely supplied, prices are usually high. 



On the tablelands plantings are made continuously from September until 

 the end of January. In certain localities such as Bowral, Mittagong, Moss 

 Vale. Orange, Oberon, &c, the city market is specially catered for, the last 

 planting just catching the Easter season. 



Sowing, Cultivating, and Harvesting. 



The water requirements of a crop of peas are considerable, and the pre- 

 paration of the soil should be commenced early enough to enable a supply 

 of moisture to be stored. The ploughed land should be cultivated as required 

 to conserve all rain that falls, to destroy weeds, and to produce a good tilth 

 in which the roots will find favourable conditions. 



Both the maize drill and the wheat drill can be used for planting the 

 seed, but in the latter case sufficient of the feeders must be closed up to 

 obtain the proper distances between the rows. It is much the more common 

 practice, however, to open up shallow drills, drop the seed by hand, and 

 cover to a depth of about 2 inches by means of a harrow, light cultivator, 

 or hand hoe. 



In small gardens, where the work is all done by hand, the rows are set 

 much closer than in the case of field crops, where often horse-power is used 

 in the operations of intercultivation. In gardens the rows are placed from 

 15 inches to 24 inches apart, hut in the field they vary from 24 inches to 

 36 inches apart, according to the implements to be used in cultivation. 

 The 24 inches is rather close for horse-power, but lends itself to the hand 

 cultivator, while 30 inches is sufficient for the free movement of horses. In 

 the rows, the seeds are generally dropped 2 inches to 3 inches apart, and 

 about 1 bushel is required for an acre. Where the seed is drilled in, the 

 fertilisers are usually applied through the manure box, but in the case of 

 hand planting, the manure must be dusted along the furrows before covering 

 in. 



So soon as the crop appears above the ground, defining the rows, the soil 

 between should be broken up with a cultivator, and should be kept con- 

 stantly stirred throughout the period of growth. It may become necessary, 

 as the plants attain a height of a few inches, to hand-hoe the weeds that 

 are growing where the ordinary cultivator will not reach them. 



Though in the garden it is the practice to stake the rows, a few dry sticks 

 being pushed into the soil on either side, in the field this is unnecessary, the 

 vines being allowed to trail on the ground. 



Picking should commence as soon as the peas in the pods are large enough, 

 and while still fresh and young, and should be continued at frequent inter- 

 vals. Under no circumstances should any of the pods be allowed to approach 

 ripeness, as the effect upon the plant is to exhaust it before it has yielded 

 all that, with care and prompt picking, it is capable of producing. The 

 business of picking is somewhat laborious, and no farmer should venture 

 upon a large area without having assured himself that his resources in this 

 respect are sufficient for the quick removal of the crop. Picking is usually 

 done by contract, the standard price being about Is. 6d. to 2s. per bushel, or 

 9d. to Is. per kerosene tin, at which rate children often make good wages. 



