260 The Profitable Culture of Vegetables. 



Intercropping. The question of whether or no the Peas are 

 to be intercropped must be decided before the distances apart 

 at which the rows are to stand can be settled. In open field 

 culture, where large breadths are sown, the ground is usually 

 occupied for the time being by the Peas only, and in such cases 

 the rows are from 12in. to 18in. apart, according to individual 

 preference, the greater distance being the best. In more limited 

 undertakings, however, intercropping is often practised, to the 

 advantage of the grower, for he not only makes a greater use 

 of his ground whilst the Peas are in the early stages, but the 

 Peas themselves benefit and crop heavier by standing ultimately 

 at a greater distance between the rows than would otherwise 

 be the case. As a rule the early varieties are allowed from 

 2ft. to 3ft. Gin. between the rows, according to the vigour of 

 the sorts and the kind of intercropping intended. In these 

 spaces lettuces, spinach, turnips, or radishes are grown. Later 

 sorts are planted from 3ft. to 4ft. apart, the spaces between 

 being usually filled with cauliflowers. Sometimes the main-crop 

 sowings are made between rows of spring cabbage, and thus 

 get the advantage of a certain amount of protection from cold 

 winds and late frosts, but in this case the cabbage must, of 

 necessity, be cleared early or more harm than good will pro- 

 bably result. Where tall-growing Peas are grown they are 

 allowed more room still, from 6ft. to 8ft. between the rows 

 being customary, with a bed of other vegetables between. 



Succession. A regular succession of fresh plump pods is of 

 great importance, particularly where a general business is 

 done. To secure this there should be frequent sowings from 

 March to June. Prior to March frequent sowings will not 

 accomplish the object aimed at, the best way to obtain a suc- 

 cession from earlier sowings being to put in seed of early, 

 mid-season, and late varieties about the same time, and they 

 usually bear in succession. From April to June a good plan is 

 to make another sowing when the preceding one is just showing 

 through the ground. For the last sowings, made in the first 

 or at the very latest in the second week of June, first or second 

 early varieties are generally used, because when grown under 

 identical conditions they come into bearing quicker than main- 

 crop or late varieties. The following are the approximate 



