BOTANY, HISTORY AND DISTRIBUTION 3 



Tangier Pea (Lathyrus Tingitanus). — An annual 

 plant native to Barbary. It was brought to Cali- 

 fornia in 1889. Apjiarently, it is hardy, and seeds 

 can be used for table, while cattle will eat plants. 

 Very little known in the United States. 



Buffalo Pea (Astragalus crassicarpiis). —<-Th\s, like 

 the others, belongs to the legume family. It is 

 found in the Mississippi valley, and vines are 

 sprawling, bearing short stubby pods about one- 

 half to two-thirds inch in diameter. These are ap- 

 parently relished by hogs, cattle and sheep. The 

 plant gains maturity in Texas in April, and by the 

 middle of June in northern latitudes. Has been 

 very little cultivated 



Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus). — This is known 

 to all people, and a special chapter on the subject 

 will be found on later pages. 



Ceylon Pea. — In the California experiment sta- 

 tion report for 1895 to 1897, E. J. Wixon speaks of 

 the Ceylon pea. He describes it as having large 

 pods, being very prolific, stating that it grows well 

 throughout the state. " It is of value as a late pea 

 for table or canning." 



Various Classifications of Peas. — Common, every- 

 day peas can be classified as either garden or field. 

 The former may be used in the green state shelled, 

 or the pods and all may be used like string beans. 

 The latter are frequently called "edible podded" 

 peas. The field peas, grown in a larger way, may 

 be used as seed, canning, forage and green manur- 

 ing, for split peas for culinary purposes, and for 

 stock feeding. Special chapters are devoted to 

 these industries. 



The garden pea diflFers from the field or stock 



