i6o 



THE SCHOOL GARDEN BOOK 



think of planting sweet peas; and the smooth "sour peas/' 

 as some one called the garden peas to distinguish them from 

 the flowering sorts, may be planted at the same time. Not 

 many, however, for a little later one may plant the new 

 variety called Gradus or Prosperity Pea, which is nearly as 

 early as the smooth sorts, and of very much better quality. 



The chief value of Alaska and similar 



smooth varieties is to enable you to 

 get a mess of home-grown peas for 

 dinner a few days earlier than your 

 neighbor, and thus be able to acquire 

 a local reputation as a skilful gardener. 



There are other things also to plant 

 early. One of the most delicious 

 vegetables, when home-grown and 

 gathered fresh, is spinach, but it is 

 often sadly neglected. Plant the seed 

 as early as the ground can be worked, 

 in rows a foot apart, sowing the seed 

 fairly thickly in the row. It will 

 come up early, and may be gathered in plenty of time for 

 some other crop to be planted. This first crop also will 

 escape the attack of the leaf-miner, a vexatious pest that is 

 very likely to spoil later crops. We have had best success 

 with Victoria Spinach for spring planting. Buy the seed, 

 not by the packet, but by the ounce or pound. 



Carrots also may be planted early to give a supply for 

 kitchen use in summer. Such varieties as Early Chantenay 

 or Earliest Short Horn are best for the first sowing. Parsnip 

 seed may also be sown very early, choosing Early Round 

 for the summer crop. Salsify, or vegetable oyster, needs 



Parsnip Seedling. 



