Peas. 261 



dates of sowing and gathering, but it must be understood that 

 the period of bearing is largely under the influence of the 

 weather and that the wrinkled sorts are more tender than the 

 round : First early varieties, raised in cold or warm frames, 

 sown in November or January, should be fit to gather from the 

 15th to the 31st of May; if sown in the open ground on same 

 dates, from the 21st of May to the 14th of June. Second early 

 varieties, sown from beginning of February to beginning of 

 March should be fit to gather from the 10th to the 21st of June. 

 Main-crop varieties, sown from middle of February to middle 

 of March are ready from the 14th of June to the 14th of July. 

 Main-crop and late varieties, sown from middle of March to 

 end of April, come ready from July 14th to August 31st. First 

 and second early varieties, sown again from the beginning of 

 May to the middle of June should be fit to gather from the 1st 

 of August to end of September, or later, but it must be remem- 

 bered that these late crops are very uncertain, being subject to 

 mildew, particularly in dry weather ; this may be counteracted 

 to some extent, though not entirely, by copious waterings. 



It may be mentioned that some growers make a practice of 

 pinching out the tops of the more vigorous-growing early 

 varieties as soon as they show bloom, and by this means keep 

 the plants shorter and hasten podding by several days. 



Mice and Sparrows. Mice are frequently very destructive 

 to Peas in the open ground, especially to those sown in the 

 winter and early spring months. A customary way to prevent 

 attacks is to moisten the Peas in water and then to stir them 

 about in red lead until all are thoroughly coated with it, after- 

 wards allowing them to dry for two or three hours before 

 sowing. Another method of protecting the seeds is to cover 

 them with petroleum, allowing them to remain in it for ten or 

 fifteen minutes. 



As soon as the plants are up they should have an occasional 

 slight dusting with lime and soot whilst they are wet with dew. 

 This will make them distaseful to sparrows and slugs, besides 

 being beneficial in assisting growth. Care must be taken that 

 these dustings are really light and evenly spread; if put on 

 heavily and carelessly growth will be checked and more harm 

 than good will be done. Other birds may occasionally attack 



