MARCH] THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 195 



for, if otherwise, they cannot receive much benefit, but may con- 

 siderable injury observing at the same time that peas do not thrive 

 in a heavy or clay soil. 



The depth of covering which they require is from one to two 

 inches, according as the ground may be either of a light or heavy 

 nature, or in a dry or wet state at the time of sowing. 



EARTHING AND STICKING PEAS. 



Towards the latter end of the month the early sown peas will be 

 advancing in growth, and must have earth drawn to their stems as 

 they progress, which will greatly strengthen them and encourage 

 their growth. 



As to sticking peas, always be careful to have this done when they 

 are about four inches high ; for, if they fall to one side or the other, 

 they with difficulty can recover their erect posture ; and if they are 

 double-sticked the better that is, place a range of sticks on the 'one 

 side, all in a regular declining manner, and another on the other 

 side of the row declining in an opposite direction to the former, by 

 which none can fall on either side. I cannot too much impress the 

 necessity of rodding well, for on this in great measure depends the 

 abundance of your crops. 



PLANTING THE LARGE WINDSOR BEANS, AND OTHER VARIETIES OF 

 THE SAME SPECIES. 



As early in this month as possible plant a full crop of Windsor 

 beans, and also of any of the other varieties which you esteem. The 

 Mazagan and Lisbon are the earliest; the white-blossom bean is 

 very delicious, and boils much greener than any other kind ; but the 

 green Genoa bears the heat of our climates better than either of the 

 others, and therefore is the most suitable for late crops. The long- 

 podded bean is very good, and bears well ; but the Windsor, Sand- 

 wich, Toker, and broad Spanish kinds, on account of their great size 

 and sweetness, are more esteemed for blanching than any other. The 

 dwarf-cluster bean is a great bearer, never grows above a foot or 

 fourteen inches high, and may be planted in rows either in beds or 

 borders, the rows to be about two feet asunder; and as this kind 

 branches out considerably from the root, the beans must be planted 

 in single rows, and six inches distant from one another. 



I have again to remark that it is from the early planted of these 

 kinds that much produce may be expected, for when overtaken by the 

 summer heat, whilst in blossom, these drop off prematurely; conse- 

 quently the crops are poor and scanty. 



Continue planting these kinds once every ten days till the end of 

 the month or beginning of next ; and as the early crops advance, 

 draw some earth up to their stems as directed for peas. 



When beans are desired at as early a period as possible, you may 

 force some of the early Mazagan kind, in any of your forcing depart- 

 ments, observing, when the plants are in full blossom, to nip off their 



