fen-r 



THE GENESEE FARMER. 



were drilled witli our grain drills, about twelve inches apart, and hoed, they would well 

 pay for the labor by the extra yield, besides leaving the land in so much better coaidition. 

 The value of peas, compared with other commonly cultivated gi-ains, will be seen from 

 the followinsf table : 



Deacription of grain. 



Linseed, 



Peas, 



Wheat, 



Oats, 



Barley 



Indian Cfirn, 



f5 



8.75 



4.00 

 l.SO 

 2.00 

 1.60 

 1.(10 



4.25 



2.50 

 1.60 

 3.00 



2.50 



PL| 



1.60 



o.so 



0.T5 

 0.50 

 0.75 

 0.70 



1.10 

 1.10 

 0.50 

 0.50 

 0.60 

 0.25 



The amount of nitrogen, other things being equal, represents the relative nutritive 

 value of different foods; so that we see 100 lbs. of peas worth four times as much as 

 Indian corn. But we cannot bring ourselves to such a conclusion without direct experi- 

 ments ; and these have not yet been made. But, one thing is proved ; that the amount 

 of nitrogen in the food, without reference to any other circumstance, represents the true 

 value of the manure made by the animals consuming it. Thus, then, the manure made 

 by hogs feeding on peas would be worth four times as much as though they were fed on 

 corn, and two and a half times as m..^^ ^ though fed on barley. And when we remem- 

 ber that this large amount of nitrogen is obtained from the atmosphere, and that in the 

 production of the starch in corn, wheat, barley, &c., considerable nitrogen is consumed, 

 and that our soils are very deficient of nitrogen, no argument will be needed to show 

 that peas are as profitable a crop as the farmer can raise. They do best on a clover sod 

 that is clean and full of roots. They should be sown early, but will do if sow^n the first 

 or second week in May. Two and a half to three bushels per acre is usually sown. If 

 soaked for six hours previous to sowing, they are soon up and get the start of the weeds. 



It may be considered a slovenly practice of harvesting, but is nevertheless adopted by 

 a first rate fiirmer of our acquaintance, who grows several acres of peas every year. He 

 takes a common roll wooden hay rake, takes out the two outside teeth, and with a good 

 stout horse, pulls them up by the roots, and leaves them in wads of a convenient size for 

 turning, pitching, &c. In this way he can do fifteen acres a day. If there are any left 

 on the land un pulled after he has harvested the others, he turns in the hogs, who soon 

 clean up every pea. He considers them the best food in the world for hogs. The pork, 

 too, is of a very superior quality, and does not lose so much when made into bacon. 



Pea straw, if well harvested, is very excellent food for cattle and sheep, and is very 

 valuable for manure. 



In Canada, oats are often sown with peas ; and ripening at the same time, they are 

 cut, threshed, and ground together, making an excellent food for hogs and horses. The 

 oats furnish a good support for the pea. But where wheat is to follow, we would not 

 recommend this course. 



The ravages of the pea-hue/ is a sad drawback on the culture (^ the pea. Early in 

 summer, when the peas are in flower and forming pods, the female beetle deposits an egg 

 in almost every pea. When matured, the pea does not appear injured ; but on close 

 examination, we can discover in each a minute black speck, which is the larva. Dr. 

 Harris says : " The eggs are laid only during the night, or in cloudy weather. Each 

 ^gg is placed oppo.site the pea, and the holes through which they pass are so fine as 

 scarcely to be seen, and are soon closed." The larva remains in the pea all winter, 

 gradually consuming its internal substance, and in spring it is transformed into a perfect 

 insect, pierces the skin, and emerges to depost its eggs in the new pods. The larva has 



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