CULTURAL DIRECTIONS 409 



vegetables grown in the United States. It is almost 

 invariably planted in home gardens, and truckers regard 

 it as one of their leading vegetables for early and mid- 

 summer sales. The crop is also canned to a great extent. 



555. Composition. The table in Chapter XXV shows 

 that this is one of our most nutritious vegetables. Besides 

 being wholesome, the young tender peas are regarded as 

 a delicacy. Being a legume, the soil is improved by its 

 culture and this advantage is considered by truckers who 

 are alert as to methods of making their lands more fer- 

 tL'e. 



556. Varieties. Varieties of peas may be classified as 

 dwarf, half-dwarf and tall. The dwarf varieties, be- 

 cause they do not require support, are most largely 

 grown. The tall varieties, for the ground occupied, pro- 

 duce much heavier yields, but must be supported. Varie- 

 ties are also classified as smooth and wrinkled ; there are 

 dwarf and tall varieties of each class. The smooth peas 

 may be planted earlier than the wrinkled, because they 

 do not rot so quickly in the soil and the plants are 

 hardier; but the wrinkled peas are sweeter and superior 

 in quality. 



A third class, known as edible-podded or sugar peas, 

 is grown to some extent in this country. The young 

 tender pods are excellent when properly cooked and sea- 

 soned. They may also be shelled, and only the peas 

 eaten. 



Among the many varieties of peas the following are 

 the most important: 



EXTRA EARLY SMOOTH PEAS 



ALASKA is the most extensively grown for canning. 

 The vines are 20 to 30 inches in height. The peas ma- 

 ture practically at one time. Uniformity in time of 

 maturing is exceedingly important when the peas are 



