1872 The Western Pomologist and Gardener. V 69 



Garden Peas—What to Plant»EarIy and Late Varieties. 



It requires some judgment and experience to clioosefrom among tiie numerous varieties 

 of garden peas, ottered by our seedsmen, the liind best adapted to our particular soils or 

 locality. Most of the descriptions of culture, time of maturing, etc., etc., are copied from 

 English catalogues, and although in that country, the pea reaches its greatest perfection, 

 it is not always safe to rely upon their descriptions of varieties suited to our climate which 

 is so dissimilar. My object is, in this short article, to only mention a few varieties, and 

 such as we know to be No. 1. 



The use of the pea in this country is becoming more and more common, and the 

 smallest garden with.iut a pea patch is somethiug seldom seen. A loamy soil is the best 

 for this crop, and more especially for the dwarf varieties; it cannot be too rich. 



For the early sorts choose a warm sheltered situation on the southern side of a garden 

 fence, or south slope of a hill side. 



A pint of seed will sow a row about forty feet in length. 



A great mistake is very often made in not covering the seeds deeply enough. I have 

 often seen sowings by market gardeners, where the seed was scarcely covered, and when 

 the hot, dry spell of the latter part of May came on the roots were dried up, and the vine 

 of course yielded nothing. By my own experience, I should say, never cover the seed 

 less than three inches in depth, and for the latter and larger sorts, not less than four 

 inches will be found too much, if a good, well filled pod is desired. 



A rule laid down by English gardeners is, when peas are sown in the usual manner, the 

 rows should be as far asunder as the length of the stem of the variety planted. Thus a 

 pea that attains a height of two feet should have two feet from row to row, and so on to 

 the taller or lower growing sorts. 



For convenience, peas are classified by seedsmen into three classes, viz : Extra Early, 

 Early, or Second crop, and Late or General Crop. 



EXTRA EARLY VARIETIES. 



Carter's First Crop is the earliest pea in cultivation. Planted April 6th, it bloomed 

 May 2.5th, and was suitable for picking June 10th. For the kitchen garden it cannot be 

 too highly recommended. 



Caractacus. — a variety very much resembling the above, with a trifle larger pod, matur- 

 ing three to five days later. 



Philadelphia Extra Early. — Sown April 6tb, came into flower June 1st, and matured a 

 fine crop June 18th. Is a great favorite with market gardeners. 



McLean's Little Gem is, undoubtedly, the finest garden pea now in cultivation. Sown 

 April 6th, flowered June 5th, and produi;ed a large and perfect crop June 23d. In its 

 habit very dwarf and of much superior flavor. 



Tom Thumb. — An old and much esteemed favorite, dwarf variety ; yields well and 

 matures about same time as Little Gem. 



EARLY OR SECOND EARLY VARIETIES. 



McLean's Advance is to be considered the best of this class ; a fine wrinkled sort ; 

 grows to about two feet in height. Sown in early part of June will mature about July 

 first. 



Saxton's Prolific Long Pod. — Is a very productive long podded variety, often having 

 seven to ten peas in a pod. Very hardy and of fair quality ; will mature about July 

 fourth. 



Bishop's Dwarf. — Grows to a height of about two feet, is of good quality and very 

 prolific. 



LATE VARIETIES OR GENERAL CROP. 



Dwarf Branching, or "Waterloo Market is a new English variety of great promise, very 

 dwarf habits, productive, and a very fine flavor ; matures about the middle of July. 



Champion of England. —Is an old time favorite, grows to a height of about four to five 

 feet ; will mature a heavy crop by fifteenth to twentieth of July, and is always sure 



