48 VEGECULTURE 



thought proper. A sufficiency of selected pods should be 

 allowed to remain, however, as a reserve stock is never to be 

 despised. The selected plants should have an occasional 

 dose of liquid manure, and not more than two or three pods 

 be allowed to stay on each plant. It rests thereafter with the 

 grower to see that these selections develop to the quality and 

 size desired. When ready to gather, do not handle the pods, 

 but cut them off with a pair of scissors, for the destruction of 

 the " bloom " spoils their attractiveness and chances of suc- 

 cessful competition with more carefully managed specimens. 



There is such a bewildering array of varieties, heights, 

 constitutions, and claims of superiority among Peas that it 

 becomes a difficult operation to make a fair and impartial 

 selection. 



The early sorts are mostly dwarf or of medium height. The 

 Pilot and Peter Pan are the earliest Peas yet introduced ; may 

 be sown in autumn. Telephone and Telegraph are two grand 

 old sorts found in every garden where tall Peas are grown. 

 Tall Sugar Peas possess edible pods. For the main crop 

 there is a choice selection of three- to six-foot sorts ; and 

 for the last sowings (in May and June) the best variety, 

 perhaps, is Autocrat. Besides the above, there have been 

 introduced lately Peas of immense size which deserve the 

 attention of all who exhibit. 



PEA MILDEW (EresipheMartii). This disease is very common, 

 especially on light soils and in dry weather, particularly towards 

 the close of the season. The fungus at first makes appearance 

 on the surface of the leaves, which become whitened on both 

 sides, and fade to a pale yellow colour. Dry weather is pro- 

 pitious to its development ; wet checks its progress. Nourish- 

 ment, such as mulching, watering, and syringing in dry seasons, 

 is the best moderator of its evil influence. Applications of 

 potash and nitrate of soda after the first pods are set are helpful ; 

 and sulphide of potassium (one ounce to four gallons of water) 

 will arrest the mildew. 



SCARLET RUNNERS (Phaseolus multiflorus) I shall not be 

 far wrong, if I say that there is hardly a garden, large or small, 

 wherein is not seen the Scarlet Runner ; and a reminder or two 

 concerning the culture of these vegetables will not be wasted. 

 As the plants are voracious feeders and appreciate a cool, 

 moist root-run, no pains should be spared in providing them 

 with these essentials. The stout roots also penetrate the soil 



