272 GARDENING FOE THE SOUTH. 



If the ground, however, be extremely rich, there will be 

 more vines than fruit. The soil must be deep, so that the 

 roots may penetrate deeply to obtain moisture in time of 

 drought, that the vines may not mildew. If the vines 

 mildew or get too dry after they begin to blossom, the 

 pods will not fill well. On this account it is found to be 

 of advantage to plant in a furrow some six inches deep, 

 as they continue much longer in bearing than when plant- 

 ed shallow. 



The early crop may be planted as soon as the ground 

 will do to work in the spring. And in the Cotton States, 

 where the winters are mild, Early Frame and Charlton 

 Peas may be planted from the last of November until 

 March; Prince Albert, etc., in February; and the later 

 kinds until early in April, and for a fall crop in August 

 to come into use in October. 



Near New York City they are planted from as early in 

 March as the ground opens, until late in May. The dis- 

 tance of the rows apart will depend upon the variety. 

 They should not be nearer to each other than the height 

 to which the sort planted generally attains. Tom Thumb 

 may be planted only fifteen inches apart from row to row, 

 but as it is a branching sort, the plants may be five or six 

 inches in the row. It is usual to plant in double rows, 

 from nine to twelve inches asunder, leaving the distance 

 above directed between each pair of rows. The sticks 

 are set midway between the double rows, supporting 

 the vines of both. It is maintained by many that from 

 its more full exposure to the air and sun a single row will 

 produce as much as two. The tall later sorts are far more 

 fruitful if the rows are put twenty or thirty feet apart, 

 and the space between occupied with other crops. 



It is best to plant the early crop in rows running east 

 and west, that the sun may warm the ridge of soil drawn 

 up to the roots ; but the rows of the main crop should run 

 north and south. Early peas should be planted in the 



