TO GROW EARLY PEAS 255 



the other hand, for fall and winter growth in some situations and 

 soils, such thorough work may not be called for. For winter work, 

 too, it is not desirable that the surface should be worked to a fine 

 mulch ; surplus water is relieved by evaporation and the surface is 

 prevented from crusting, if a coarser condition is retained. The 

 pea plant gives every possible advantage to the grower : it is strong- 

 growing and hardy, and it has a large seed which makes a vigorous 

 shoot. If the grower can give it escape from dry heat it will serve 

 him well both in garden and field. 



It should be remembered, however, that the pea needs a certain 

 amount of heat, though it be small, and there is nothing gained by 

 sowing in cold, wet ground. In small, frosty valleys with heavy 

 rainfall sowing should often be delayed until the ground is warmed 

 in February, though on slopes above such valleys much earlier 

 work can often be done satisfactorily. The fitness of certain varie- 

 ties for seasonal conditions will be considered presently. 



For the Earliest Peas. The earliest peas, counting the first of 

 July as the beginning of the California season, are in picking condi- 

 tion in December, from seed sown -in August and September. Irri- 

 gate the land thoroughly, plow well, harrow, and sow the seed with 

 a drill as nearly as practicable an inch apart in rows two and a half 

 feet distant. Another way is to open a shallow furrow with a single 

 plow, scatter the seed in the furrow and cover with a cultivator, 

 covering the seed and stirring the space between the rows. In grow- 

 ing peas on hillsides for very early market, the foreigners, who are 

 the chief growers, depend much upon hand work and bring the rows 

 nearer together. Irrigation must be used from time to time to keep 

 the soil from drying until the rains come and subsequently if the 

 rains are light. The plants must be pushed to bring well-filled pods 

 and continual moisture is essential. Cultivation, to keep the soil 

 clean and mellow, is necessary. A light harrow can be safely used 

 with peas even after the plants appear. After this the free use of the 

 cultivator will be found profitable. 



Later Sowing. Whether it will be profitable to arrange for" a 

 succession of peas in the early winter depends upon the local soil 

 and climate. On light soils and in regions of moderate rainfall and 

 frost it is quite feasible, but in most regions December and January 

 bring the lowest temperatures and the longest rainstorms of the year, 

 and the ground is out of condition. The advent of February changes 

 things enough to meet the requirements of the pea, and then the 



