498 THE VEGETABLE GARDEN 



who grow it on a large scale. They sow it in drills about 20 in. 

 apart, and leave the plants to themselves. The tendrils of the 

 leaves become intertwined, so that a whole drill is like one plant, 

 and, should it incline to right or left, the stems turn and grow 

 erect, mutually supporting one another. The flowers soon make 

 their appearance, when the cultivators pinch the stems above the 

 fifth or sixth flower. This forwards the growth of the first pods 

 and increases their size. When stakes are scarce, the same might 

 be done in kitchen-gardens. 



Ruelle Michaux Pea. Stem usually simple, rather thick, 3 to 

 4 ft. high. The leaves and stipules are much larger than those of 

 the preceding kind, and a lighter green. The flowers are very 

 white, large, and often solitary. They begin to open at the ninth 

 or tenth joint of the stem, which carries about ten tiers of them. 

 Pod straight, broad, somewhat blunt at the end, and containing 

 seven or eight white, round, large peas. This variety requires a 

 little more attention, when growing, than the preceding one. Its 

 peas are larger and handsomer, but it is not so early. 



Early Frame Pea (Pots Michaux Ordinaire). At first sight 

 this variety does not seem to differ much from the Early Emperor. 

 It might even be described as a sub-variety, which is hardier, a 

 little earlier, and continues bearing for a longer time. The leaves 

 are exactly like those of the Early Emperor, save that they are a 

 little larger ; but the flowers, which are always in pairs, do not 

 commence to open before the tenth joint, and the stem carries 

 twelve tiers of them. Pods straight, rather narrow and small, but 

 very well filled ; peas very round, white, slightly salmon colour, 

 and of medium size. This variety is almost always branched ; that 

 is, it produces shoots from the axils of the leaves immediately 

 under the first flowers, which soon flower themselves. These 

 branches or secondary stems grow particularly strong when, from 

 any cause, the main stem above them has been either wholly or 

 partially destroyed, but they always produce fewer pods than the 

 main stem. 



Some years ago a variety was much grown, and still exists 

 in certain localities, under the name of White Branching Pea. 

 This comes very near the Early Frame Pea, but is especially 

 remarkable for the vigorous growth of its secondary shoots, or 

 branches, and their abundant and continuous yield of pods. If the 

 Early Frame Pea, however, is sown rather thinly, and the pods 

 are gathered as soon as they are fit for use, it will yield almost 

 as abundantly and as long as the White Branching Pea. 



Leopold II. Pea. Stem usually simple, about 3 ft.' high ; 

 leaflets and stipules pale green, finely spotted with gray, oval, and 

 rather elongated ; flowers white, almost always produced in pairs, 

 and rarely commencing to open before the twelfth joint ; there are 



