GARDEN PEA 91 



rubbish from destroyed buildings, to compensate for the consump- 

 tion of calcareous matters by the various crops. For early Peas, a 

 warm dry sandy soil is to be preferred ; for late crops, and especi- 

 ally for robust and productive varieties, a strong loam or a well-tilled 

 clay answers admirably, and it is wise to select plots that were in the 

 previous year occupied with Celery and other crops for which the 

 land was freely manured and much 'knocked about.' Heavy 

 manuring is not needed for the earliest crops, unless the soil is very 

 poor, but for the late crops it will always pay to trench the ground, 

 and put a good body of rotten manure at the depth of the first spit, for 

 the roots to run in about the time when the pods are swelling. In all 

 cases it is advisable not to enrich in any special manner the top crust 

 for Peas. When the young plant finds abundant nutriment near at 

 hand, it does not root freely, and is actually in danger of being 

 poisoned ; but when the plant is fairly formed, and has entered upon 

 the fruiting stage, the roots may ramify in rich soil to advantage. 

 Hence the desirability of growing Peas in ground that was heavily 

 manured and frequently stirred in the previous year, and of putting a 

 coat of rotten manure between the two spits in trenching. As regards 

 the last-named operation, it should be remarked that as Peas require a 

 somewhat fine tilth, the top spit should be kept on the top where it 

 is likely the second spit will prove lumpy, pasty, or otherwise unkind. 

 In this case, bastard trenching will be sufficient ; but when the second 

 spit may be brought up with safety, it should be done for the sake of 

 a fresh soil and a deep friable bed. 



Early Peas are produced in a variety of ways. The simplest 

 consists in sowing one or more of the quick-growing varieties in 

 November, December, and January, on sloping sheltered borders 

 expressly prepared for the purpose, and provided with reed hurdles 

 to screen the plants from cutting winds. Where the assaults of mice 

 are to be apprehended, it is an excellent plan to soak the seed in 

 paraffin oil for twenty minutes, and then, having sown in drills only 

 one inch deep, heap over the drill three inches of fine sand. If this 

 cannot be done, sow in drills fully two inches deep, for shallow sowing 

 will not promote earliness, but it is likely to promote weakness of the 

 plant. It is not usual to grow any other crop with first early Peas, 

 but the rows must be far enough apart to prevent them from shading 

 one another, and, if possible, let them run north and south, that they 

 may have an equable enjoyment of the sunshine. As soon as the 

 plant is fairly out of the ground, dust it with soot carefully, so as just 

 to spoil the flavour of the tender leaves without choking them. 



