98 POPULAR VEGETABLES 



The earliest Peas, either of those sown or planted 

 out, will be of dwarf growth, that is, will not exceed 

 three feet, often less, and for these the soil is specially 

 prepared, selecting a warm border for the sowing. A 

 border of this kind is essential for the first crop, and 

 a large mass of animal manure may be dispensed with. 

 The ground must, however, be in good condition, as 

 once the plant is in active growth there is only a short 

 time to mature the crop. In gardens where the soil 

 is poor, it is very easy to enrich it, and add, if 

 necessary, lime dressing or calcareous materials. It 

 will be seen therefore that the earlier sowings need a 

 lighter soil, but later ones do well on a well-manured, 

 deeply dug and strong loam. Many vegetable growers 

 prefer land that is trenched or double dug for the later 

 crops, and when the manure is freely given, and at the 

 time of digging, place it in layers between the two spits 

 in digging or trenching. The roots will thus have a 

 good root-hold at the time there is a greater demand 

 on the plant, that is, when the pods are in course of 

 formation. 



In many gardens it pays to grow late Peas in 

 trenches in a similar way to Celery. Trenching 

 previously is not necessary, but is an excellent plan 

 in light soils on gravel, if the food in the bottom of 

 the trench is dug in previous to sowing the seed. 

 When growing in trenches, give plenty of space be- 

 tween the rows, and also in the row when the varieties 

 are of strong growth. 



Forced Peas. No book on vegetable culture 



