Six varieties of Peas. 95 



at the same time protected by some light covering, they 

 soon recover, and come on rapidly in May. In gardens, 

 however, not much sheltered, and with heavy soils, not 

 much is gained by sowing before the first of April. 



The soil, if moderately rich, need not be manured ; but if 

 sandy, it should by all means have a quantity of old com- 

 post spread in the row, which should be made with a hoe, 

 and after the manure is strewn in, covered over with two 

 inches of soil. On this draw two drills about 6 inches 

 apart and scatter in the peas at the distance of three or 

 four inches apart, and cover them an inch deep, giving the 

 soil a gentle tap with the back of the hoe as the peas are 

 covered in. The rows may be three or more feet apart. 

 Some cultivators recommend eight or ten feet and cropping 

 between with other vegetables ; this mode often prevents 

 mildew. When the peas are up and advanced about two 

 inches they should be slightly hoed : and when grown to 

 the height of six inches they will need another stirring of 

 the soil, at the same time slightly raising up the earth 

 against the base of the vines. After this nothing more need 

 to be done, unless it is thought desirable to stick them with 

 brush, or put up lines of twine running lengthwise of the 

 rows, and fastened each end to a strong stake. In gardens 

 where neatness is an object the latter mode obviates the 

 straggling appearance which the vines have when lying 

 in all directions upon the ground. 



The pea does not force well, but there are various ways 

 of forwarding a crop ; the modes which we have found best 

 are sowing in small pots, or upon pieces of turf turned bot- 

 tom upwards, placing the same in a frame or exhausted 

 hot bed, and transplanting, as soon as the weather is mild, 

 under a sheltered fence or building, protecting them with 

 straw, leaves, or litter on cool nights. In this way peas 

 may be accelerated a fortnight or more. Where there are 

 grape houses, with or without flues, peas may be brought 

 forward, and a small crop obtained, some time before they 

 are to be had in the open air. 



We cannot omit to urge the cultivation of Knight's tall 

 marrow pea. It is of delicious quality, and produces 

 throughout the whole season. A sowing made at the same 

 time of the Dwarf Marrowfat, will produce pods for gath- 

 ering for the table in about 2 weeks after that variety. 

 Strong brush or lines, as before mentioned, should be put 

 up to support the vines. 



