340 GARDEN FARMING 



are of course arbitrary subdivisions, but they are closely correlated 

 with the other subdivisions of the Pea family. For instance, the 

 earliest varieties are as a rule dwarf or medium-growing sorts, 

 while the late sorts are usually tall-growing, and many of them 

 have wrinkled green seeds. A still further subdivision is based on 

 the season of ripening early, medium, and late-maturing sorts. 

 While no exact statement can be made in regard to these different 

 characteristics, yet, in general, it may be said that the earliest peas 

 must necessarily be the hardiest ones, and earliness and hardiness 

 are as a rule correlated with smooth, round seed and a dwarf or 

 half -dwarf habit of growth. But not all the extra-early varieties are 

 smooth ; some of them have wrinkled grains, as, for instance, the 

 American Wonder and peas of that type. However, the general 

 statement holds true that the earliest sorts have a smooth, round 

 type of seed, and the tender, late-growing sorts usually have wrin- 

 kled green seeds. The farm or agricultural types of peas, such 

 as the Canada field pea, all have hard, round seeds. These peas 

 possess great hardiness and are as a rule somewhat more prolific 

 seeders than are the wrinkled types, although for garden purposes 

 the wrinkled types are to be preferred because they are of better 

 quality, have a longer fruiting period, and their pods do not pass the 

 edible condition as soon as do the sorts having hard, smooth seeds. 

 Among the earliest sorts suitable for garden uses may be men- 

 tioned First of All and Alaska. These are both round-seeded 

 sorts. The Thomas Laxton, Gradus, and American Wonder are 

 all early sorts of the wrinkled type. Among the medium-early peas 

 may be mentioned McLean's Advancer, Horsford's Market Gar- 

 den, and Pride of the Market, all of which are of the wrinkled 

 sorts. And among the main or late crops are Stratagem, Telephone, 

 Telegraph, and White Marrow Fat. Two of the sugar or edible- 

 pod peas are Early Sugar and the Mammoth Great-Seeded Sugar. 



PEPPERS 



This group of plants presents a wide diversity of varietal char- 

 acteristics. There are marked differences not only in the size 

 and shape of the fruits but also in their quality. Some are exceed- 

 ingly pungent, while others have no pungency, and still others 



