VARIETIES OF THE PEA. 271 



borough, or Partridge Pea. Of these varieties No. 1 is 

 that commonly cultivated. It is very prolific, with a long 

 pod, well filled with from five to eight seeds. It is late 

 in coming to maturity compared with other varieties, ripen- 

 ing about the same period as the bean ; hence, in northern 

 parts of the kingdom, it is sown along with this crop, both 

 being ready for harvesting at the same time ; and the 

 strong stalks of the beans serve as supports for the slender 

 ones of the pea. By this arrangement the produce of the 

 crop is very much increased. The colour of the stem 

 varies, but it is very useful as fodder for cattle. The 

 variety No. 2 of our list is the earliest of the peas fitted 

 for farm culture, being from four to five weeks earlier than 

 No. 1, the common grey hence its value for late sowing. 

 It does not grow to a great height, or rather to a great 

 length, three feet being the maximum. The pods are 

 short, containing generally from three to five seeds only, 

 the form of which is spherical, sometimes slightly flattened 

 or compressed on the sides. Between Nos. 1 and 2, in 

 point of date of ripening, comes No. 3, the Hastings Grey, 

 earlier than the common and later than the Warwick. Its 

 stem is longer than that of No. 1, and more feeble and 

 slender. It is well adapted for light soils, on which its 

 yield is good. The pods are long, rounded in sections, 

 and generally well filled with seeds, the form of which is 

 circular, with compressed sides. No. 4, the Dutch or 

 Giant Pea, as its latter name indicates, is the largest of 

 our field peas. Its stem grows to a great length, seldom 

 less than six, frequently eight to ten feet. This pea pro- 

 duces its pods in pairs, the form of which is broad and 

 flat. The seeds are usually five or six in number, and of 

 a " dun brown " colour, with black eyes ; they are much 

 flattened in shape, and wrinkled in the skin. No. 5, or 

 Marlborough Pea, is, like No. 2, the Warwick, an early 

 variety, and, like the Giant Pea, is a strong grower, the 

 stems being generally about four feet in length, bearing 

 large broad leaves, and pods broad-shaped. The seeds 

 vary in number, averaging from five to seven ; they ar 



