196 PEAS. 



rich, and ought not to be sown except on ground 

 that has been manured for the previous crop. 

 Begin sowing the pea quarter at the side remotest 

 from the sun, that the subsequent portions of the 

 crop may not suffer shading by those more ad- 

 vanced. Sow two drills six inches apart, and the 

 next two at the distance of four feet. This wide 

 space may serve for a crop of spinach. A very 

 simple art in staking is worthy of notice : shape 

 the branches flat like a wall tree; insert the largest, 

 one to every yard, and fill the intervals with short 

 ones having branches near the ground. By this 

 means the peas have more air, and a fourth part of 

 the wood commonly used will be quite sufficient. 

 Small twine is better than nothing where stakes 

 cannot be had. There is a dwarf sort of pea not 

 otherwise to be preferred which needs no support. 

 Frequent hoeing, whilst it promotes the fruitful- 

 ness of the crop, has an excellent effect in disturb- 

 ing the slug. This enemy, when very troublesome, 

 may be further treated with quick lime, which, ad- 

 hering to its slimy skin, disposes the creature to 

 rub itself below ground, and to travel less on the 

 surface. Some have supposed that the mouse will 

 not find out your newly sown peas, unless through 

 carelessness some straggling seeds be left uncovered; 

 but careful hiding will be no security, as the mouse 

 has an excellent nose; and it is better to meet its 

 delicate sense with that which it cannot relish. 

 See the harmless use of rosin for that purpose, as 

 previously stated under the article, Beans. 



