CHAPTER XLVI 



PEAS AND BEANS 



NO vegetable is more highly esteemed by the amateur 

 gardener, and there is none that is more profitable, than 

 the culinary pea. The months of March and April provide 

 the most suitable time to sow the seed, though if an early crop is 

 desired it may be put hi the ground early in February, provided 

 the situation chosen for its reception be a well-protected sunny 

 border which faces south or south-west. 



The first essential hi satisfactory pea-growing is deep cultivation 

 of the soil ; the second is efficient feeding. No matter how careful 

 the subsequent culture of the vegetable, if these requirements are 

 not forthcoming the resultant crop will inevitably be unsatisfac- 

 tory. 



The site selected for the principal crop of peas should be open, 

 and it should be one hi which the soil is naturally rich, or to which 

 manure has been liberally applied for a previous crop. If the soil 

 has been well trenched hi the autumn and this is by far the better 

 plan where the ground is inclined to be heavy the seed may be 

 sown early in March. But where the preparation of the ground has 

 been postponed until February it will be wiser to wait until the 

 beginning of April to allow the soil to settle down and become 

 thoroughly aerated before the seed is put in. 



The finest crops are ensured if the seed be sown in trenches as 

 indicated in Diagram 64. The trenches should be dug out to a 

 depth of fifteen inches. The subsoil should be well forked over 

 and loosened, and in the bottom of the trench a layer of well- 

 decayed manure be placed. Over this a layer of fine soil at 

 least six inches thick will be essential. With this soil may be 

 mixed a further supply of finely chopped manure, a sprinkling of 



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