GARDEN PEA 93 



with water in which a very small quantity of salt has been dissolved, 

 for this will cause the remaining bots and slugs to wriggle out, and by 

 means of a little patient labour they can be gathered and destroyed. 

 Sow the seed rather thickly in lines along the centre of each strip of 

 turf, and cover with fine earth. By keeping the frame close, a more 

 regular sprouting of the seed will be insured ; but as soon as the plants 

 rise, air must be given, and this part of the business must be regulated 

 according to the weather. All now depends on the cultivator, for 

 having a very large command of conditions, it may be said that he is 

 removed somewhat from the sport of the elements, which makes 

 wreck of many of our endeavours. In this view, then, there are 

 three points to be kept in mind. In the first place, a short stout 

 slow-growing plant is wanted, for a tall lean fast-growing plant will at 

 the end of the story refuse to furnish the dish of Peas aimed at. 

 Give air and water judiciously, and protect from vermin and all other 

 enemies. A little dry lime or soot may be dusted over the plants 

 occasionally, but not to choke or even colour the leaves. All going 

 well, plant out in the month of March or April, on ground prepared 

 for the purpose, and laying the plant-bearing turves in strips, without 

 any disturbance whatever of the roots. Then earth them up with 

 fine stuff from between the rows, and put sticks to support and 

 shelter them. 



A more troublesome, but often a safer method, is to raise the 

 plants in pots. We object to the plan that prevails in some gardens 

 of sowing round the sides of large pots, and then opening out the ball 

 to make the Peas meet in line. That many practise this plan with 

 success is true, and we leave the masters of the business to their own 

 devices. But those who are not masters of the business may be 

 advised to sow in what are called 54-sized pots, but at the utmost 

 48-size (5 -inch) is, in our opinion, the largest allowable. The details 

 of management need not detain us. The object of the cultivator 

 should be to obtain a sturdy plant, and there should be no 'pushing,' 

 unless the desire be to illustrate the proverb * the. more haste the 

 less speed' a proverb that a prudent post-boy can illustrate if 

 you give him a long journey on short time with weak steeds. He 

 will check the speed at first, even if the slowness chafes the traveller. 

 But he will probably reach the destination in proper time, instead of 

 breaking down half-way as he might have done by urging his weak team 

 too early in the race. Plant out from the pots into the rows by the 

 aid of a trowel, at one foot apart, without breaking the balls, and 

 earth up tenderly, and put stakes at once, and the work is almost 



