112 COOL SEASON CROPS 



Peas grown for canning factories are sometimes sown with a 

 grain drill and given no cultivation whatever after planting. When 

 the crop is ready to harvest the vines are cut with a mowing 

 machine and hauled to the factory where the peas are hulled out 

 by special machinery. For factories not equipped with modern 

 machinery it is necessary to pick the pods by hand the same as 

 if they were to be marketed in the fresh state. Some varieties 

 mature much more uniformly than others, and are preferred for 

 the cannery and for market because the entire crop is ready to 

 harvest at one time. On the other hand, varieties which mature 

 their crop gradually and have a long picking season are preferable 

 for the home garden. 



Sugar Peas. — In addition to the common garden pea, the 

 immature seeds of which are the edible product, there is a type 

 of pea known as the sugar or edible-podded pea. The pods are 

 tender and juicy and are gathered for eating at the same stage of 

 development as string beans. Their chief function is to furnish 

 a substitute for string beans earlier in the season than the latter 

 can be secured. They are planted at the same time and handled 

 in the same way as other garden peas. Most varieties are tall 

 and require support. This type of pea is seldom seen on the 

 markets or in home gardens. It deserves more attention than it 

 is receiving at the present time. 



QUESTIONS 



1. Name nine crops that quickly reach edible maturity and thrive only in 



cool weather. 



2. What is the most widely gro\\Ti salad crop in America? 



3. How may leaf lettuce of large size be grown? 



4. What is meant by a "cutting" variety of leaf lettuce? 



5. How does hot, dry weather affect the quahty of lettuce? 



6. How long does it take to grow a crop of leaf lettuce? 



7. WTiat are the uses of garden cress? 



8. What are the essential features in growing garden cress? 



9. How may com salad be grown? 



10. What is the most important plant grown exclusively for greens, in America? 



11. Contrast northern and southern methods of growing spinach. 



12. What are the moisture demands of spinach? How may they be met? 



13. Describe the method of harvesting spinach. 



14. What are the characteristics of mustard as a garden crop? 



15. Name and describe the three types of radishes. 



16. At what time should each type of radish be planted? When is each har- 



vested? How long mil each remain in edible condition? 



17. Contrast the spring and fall crops of turnips. 



