CHAPTER V. 



THE CULTURE OF POD-BEARING CROPS. 



The Pea. 



Botanical Name : Pisum sativum. 

 Natural Order : Leguminosce. 



THIS plant was known and cultivated by both Greeks 

 and Romans. It is not known in the wild state, and 

 its native habitat is uncertain, but from a considera- 

 tion of its historical distribution it appears probable 

 that it originated in Central Europe or in Western 

 Asia. It is supposed to have been introduced into 

 England from France and Holland early in the six- 

 teenth century. 



Soil and Manures. Peas can be grown success- 

 fully in any good garden soil, but give the best 

 results in a deep, rich, loamy soil of a medium to a 

 heavy nature. The soil should be deeply worked in 

 winter, adding at the same time a dressing of farm- 

 yard manure. Light sandy soils require to be dug 

 two spades deep, and have a liberal application of 

 good manure incorporated in both the second spade 

 depth and the top soil to within about five inches 

 of the surface. The latter method may either be 



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