306 CALIFORNIA VEGETABLES. 



Culture. From what has been said it may be inferred 

 that the pea at different times of the year is to be handled 

 with all the arts for releasing or retaining moisture, which 

 are described in the chapters on the planting season, drain- 

 age and cultivation. The reader should study these, and 

 choose the methods adapted to the soil and time of the 

 year with which he expects to operate. Depth of plant- 

 ing is also governed by these factors, as described in the 

 chapter on propagation. The pea will thrive with deep 

 covering, according to the soil and moisture even to 

 covering the seed in a plow furrow in a light soil but 

 in a heavier soil, with assurance of moisture, a single inch 

 of depth may best favor its growth. Deep working of the 

 soil is also, as a rule, acceptable to the pea and where the 

 crop is to come late and to endure a measure of heat and 

 drought, deep working in preparation and fine surface 

 cultivation, as late as feasible without injury to the vines, 

 is necessary. But, on the other hand, for fall and winter 

 growth in some situations and soils, such thorough work 

 may not be called for. For winter, 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 pre- 

 vented 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 

 varieties for seasonal conditions will be considered pres- 

 ently. 



For the Earliest Peas. The earliest peas, counting the 



