MANUEES MODE OF SOWING, ETC. 255 



gypsum has a tendency to make the peas boil hard. This 

 common impression among pea-growers, however, should 

 be dispelled, since the results of analysis (Dr. Voelcker's) 

 would appear to show that the difference in cooking be- 

 tween peas must originate in other causes than that re- 

 ferred to. Two varieties of peas the one noted as hard 

 boilers, and the other for their property of boiling soft, 

 and both being suitable for table use were submitted to 

 analysis, and Dr. Voelcker found that the proportion of 

 sulphate of lime was practically the same in both. 



The mode of sowing is either by broadcast, drilling, or 

 dibbling. The former is still largely practised in the pea- 

 growing districts, while the latter method is not seen 

 followed to the same extent as with beans. Broadcasting 

 cannot be admitted under any conditions. Even if the land 

 is carefully cleaned before sowing, the weeds in such soils 

 are sure to spring up and check the growth of the plant, 

 by which the whole object of the fallow crop is destroyed, 

 and a large outlay for labour again required before the land 

 is fit for the succeeding crop. Drilling, at distances from 

 18 to 24 inches between the rows, gives the plant a more 

 regular and equal distribution of space to grow in, while 

 it affords an opportunity of keeping the weeds down by 

 hoeing, until the plants cover over the intervening spaces, 

 and check their further growth. When they have arrived 

 at this point of their existence, no further attention is 

 required, and they must take their chances of success or 

 failure, as the weather and disease may favour or check 

 their increase and maturity. By drilling, also, you can 

 more readily regulate the depth at which the seed is de- 

 posited in the soil. This should be about 2 inches, as 

 mice and birds, pigeons especially, commit sad devastation 

 if the seed is within reach of the surface. The flowering 

 takes place irregularly, as with the bean, the lower and 

 more matured part of the stem bearing its flowers before 



