236 THE VEGETABLE CULTIVATOR. 



to come up quick, and keep them in a regular 

 growth ; and if repetition of the watering is neces- 

 sary, earth may be drawn up on each side the rows, 

 which will contain water sufficient for the purpose, 

 and not a drop will be wasted. 



The following mode of sticking peas, and espe- 

 cially the taller varieties, is both cheap and simple, 

 and possesses many advantages. Procure a num- 

 ber of strong thick stakes or thin poles, in length 

 according to the height of the peas, from five to 

 ten feet, and drive them into the ground on each 

 side of the row, at the distance of three or four 

 yards ; pass a small line along the poles, taking a 

 turn on each, within a few inches of the ground, 

 and, as the peas advance, raise the next turn a 

 little higher, and so on in succession till they have 

 attained their full height. Seize the tendrils of the 

 peas and twist them round these lines, by which they 

 will be supported in a better manner than by the 

 common method of sticking. When spread regularly 

 along the lines, they have a fine circulation of air, 

 and pods can be pulled at all times without injuring 

 the haulm ; and as the birds have no twigs to alight 

 on, the portion of the crop which they otherwise 

 would devour and destroy is saved. An excellent 

 way to preserve peas or beans from mice is to chop 

 up fche tops of the last year's shoots of furze, and 

 sow them in the drills : the author has known it to 

 have been an effectual remedy in several instances 

 where these mischievous little animals had been 

 very prevalent. 



Artificial culture. Peas may be successfully 

 raised so as to produce a very early crop, in hot- 



