338 



GARDEN FARMING 



Peas as forage. Besides the uses of peas already suggested, in 

 some localities, especially in high altitudes, they are mixed with 

 oats and planted as a forage crop for horses. When the oats are 

 mature the whole crop is threshed and the seeds of the peas allowed 

 to form a part of the ration of the animals to which the oats are fed. 

 The addition of pea vines to the oat straw very materially increases 

 its value as forage. 



Peas are seldom or never grown as a forcing crop, except for 

 special use in private establishments or for experimental purposes. 



FIG. 125. Packing peas in Delaware-type baskets 



Insects and diseases. The garden pea is subject to the attack of 

 two destructive insects the pea louse and the pea weevil. 



Pea louse. This is one of the plant lice, or aphides, which fre- 

 quently infest fruit and garden plants. These insects are particularly 

 difficult to treat in the open on account of the manner in which 

 they secure their food. They are sucking insects and cannot be 

 killed by poisonous sprays. Contact insecticides are the only avail- 

 able means known for their destruction. On dense-growing, leafy 

 plants like peas it is a very difficult matter to spray the plants 



