90 THE CULTURE OF VEGETABLES 



got out of hand before the rush of spring work comes on. A fine 

 seed-bed should be prepared either in one large piece or in four-feet 

 strips, as may best suit other arrangements. Sow in shallow drills 

 eighteen inches apart, dropping the seeds from the hand in twos and 

 threes at a distance of six inches apart ; cover lightly, and touch over 

 with the hoe or rake to make a neat finish. As soon as the plants 

 are visible, ply the hoe to keep down weeds and thin the crop slightly 

 to prevent crowding anywhere. The thinning should be carried on 

 from time to time until the plants are a foot apart ; or if the ground 

 is strong and large roots are required, they may be allowed fifteen 

 inches. It may be well to lift a few roots in November, this being 

 done with a strong two-tined fork, a few spits of earth being removed 

 first at one end or corner of the piece to facilitate removal without 

 breaking the roots : these may be put aside for immediate use, but 

 the general bulk of the crop should remain in the ground to be dug 

 as wanted, for the Parsnip keeps better in the ground than out of it, 

 and in the event of severe frost a coat of rough litter will suffice to 

 prevent injury. Whatever remains over in the month of February 

 should be lifted and trimmed up and stored in the coolest place that 

 can be found, a coat of earth or sand being sufficient to protect them 

 from the injurious action of the atmosphere. 



GARDEN PEA 



(Pisum sattvum) 



THE GARDEN PEA is of such great importance that it is common to 

 estimate the work of the garden by the general character of this crop. 

 As an article of food, it is the most nutritious of all vegetables ; 

 and because it is rich in phosphates and alkalies, it makes a heavy 

 demand upon the soil, and constitutes what is termed an exhausting 

 crop. In poor land it makes a poor return ; it cannot live on nothing, 

 as is almost the case with Buckwheat and a few other crops ; and 

 because of the brief space of time that elapses between the sowing 

 of the seed and the gathering of the produce, the land should be well 

 prepared for it, that the roots may ramify freely, and quickly collect 

 the food the plant requires. 



The soil for Peas should be rich, deep, and friable, and should 

 contain a notable proportion of calcareous matter. Old gardens 

 should be refreshed with a dressing of lime occasionally, or of lime 



