The Busy Woman s Garden Book 



known to do much damage, so if one would en- 

 joy fresh, home grown peas one must exercise 

 due vigilance. 



The use of Mulford and other cultures for 

 inoculating peas is growing in practice among 

 the most progressive gardeners and is a very 

 wise precaution to take; especially is it desir- 

 able in intensive culture suggested by growing 

 two crops of peas on the same strip of land. 

 Peas, like all legumes, are nitrogen feeders and 

 gatherers and the use of the culture supplies the 

 young plant, at the start, with nitrogen and puts 

 it in shape to begin the accumulation of nitrogen 

 from the air by its own efforts. The nitrogen 

 gathered from the air is stored up on the roots 

 in the form of nodules or bunches, and it is for 

 this reason that the growing of all legumes is so 

 beneficial to the soil. If when the first planting 

 of peas is matured and gathered the vines are cut 

 or broken off close to the ground, instead of being 

 pulled up, root and all, this supply of nitrogen 

 will remain in the soil and be available for the 

 succeeding crop. 



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