EARLY AND LATE PEAS. 307 



first of July as the beginning of the California season, are 

 in picking condition in December, from seed sown in Aug- 

 ust and September. Irrigate 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 dis- 

 tant. 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 be- 

 tween the rows. In growing 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 subse- 

 quently if the rains are light. The plants must be pushed 

 to bring well-filled pods and continual moisture is essen- 

 tial. 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 sowing for the spring and summer suc- 

 cession may begin. At the first ridge or raised bed 

 method will give safety against excessive water, but later 

 sowings should be made for flat culture on soil most thor- 

 oughly prepared and well cultivated afterward. 



Field Growth. Where peas are sown for forage or for 

 a crop of dry peas, sowing can be done broadcast on land 

 which has been previously plowed and harrowed, and 

 then the seed is covered with a shallow cross-plowing of 

 the whole field. If the soil is friable and a good condi- 

 tion of moisture, this leaves the surface well loosened and 



