108 KITCHEN-GARDENING. 



All the different sorts of Peas may be planted in double or 

 single rows, from four to six feet apart, according to the 

 different heights they may be expected to grow. If two drills 

 be made three inches deep, and about nine inches apart, and 

 the seed dropped along each drill moderately thick, they will 

 yield better than single rows, and will save sticks. When the 

 plants are two or three inches high, let them be hoed, drawing, 

 at the same time, a little earth up to their stems. When they 

 get to double that height, let them be hoed again. At the same 

 time place a row of sticks or brush in the middle of your 

 double rows, and a few shorter and smaller ones on the outside 

 of each row, to assist the Peas in climbing to their main sup- 

 port. You must be governed as to the length of your sticks 

 by the description of your Peas. There is great advantage in 

 having sticks of a suitable height to the various kinds of Peas. 

 The sticks should not only be sufficiently tall, but also branchy, 

 that the plants may readily take hold ; and they should be 

 prepared fan-fashion, so that the side branches may extend only 

 along the rows. As the plants progress in growth, let them be 

 repeatedly hoed and earthed up ; this will promote a plentiful 

 bearing. 



One quart of Peas will plant from one hundred and fifty to 

 two hundred feet of row, allowing the largest kinds to average 

 one inch apart, and the smallest two Peas to the inch. 



To have green Peas in perfection, they should be gathered 

 while young, and cooked immediately after they are shelled, or 

 they will soon lose their color and sweetness. Let the water 

 be slightly seasoned with salt, and boiled ; then put in the 

 Peas with a small bunch of Spearmint, and ease the cover so as 

 to let off the steam. They require about fifteen minutes boil- 

 ing, or five minutes more or less, according to the age and care 

 bestowed. 



FORCING PEAS IN HOTBEDS. 



The best kinds of Peas to force, are those that are the most 

 dwarfish, as they will bear earlier, and make less straw. Peas 



