182 A HOME VEGETABLE-GARDEN 



of humus prevents hard packing of the soil during 

 the winter months and, therefore, ensures rapid 

 upper soil drainage and drying in the early 

 spring; and that, almost of itself, makes a quick 

 soil. This soil fiber is especially necessary for 

 peas. Too rich or fertile soil hinders the maturity 

 of early peas. As with all legumes, rich soil for 

 early peas tends to produce mainly vine instead 

 of pods. At any event, fruitage is sure to be 

 delayed. For the earliest sowings, light stalk 

 growth is desired and only one full flowering is 

 expected. To bring about limited growth of stalk 

 with abundant bloom and a quickly developing 

 plentiful harvest, a light soil is needed, one that 

 is not too rich. Later in the season, with varieties 

 that naturally produce big growth, a richer 

 heavier soil serves excellently. At that time of 

 slower growth, large tops are needed for the pro- 

 duction of big crops, to induce continued blossom- 

 ing and steady formation of pods. The summer- 

 grown peas need also a deep rooting system for 

 the sustenance of healthy productive growth in 

 midseason heat. Therefore, open, quick, sandy 

 soil is best for early peas; richer more retentive 

 loams, for later sowings. 



Some care with reference to seed is necessary. 

 Peas are peculiarly liable to the attacks of the 

 pea-weevil. When we produce our own seed from 

 our own chosen varieties, we shall store the seed 

 with the same care given the corn, in air-tight 



