Protecting Peas and other early Crops. 187 



of the ball as much of the old soil as can be done without 

 injuring any fresh roots; trim off any black roots; then place 

 the plant with a part of the ball as low in the pot as you can, 

 placing a small portion of compost at the bottom, and leaving a 

 little room at top, so as to have a command of top-dressing 

 afterwards. By this means the plant will receive a partial check, 

 and in making fresh growth will generally show fruit. 



The following year's success much depends upon the health 

 and treatment of the mother plant. Should the suckers have 

 broke from the plant near the pot, I endeavour to give strength 

 by putting a circular case round the rim of the pot, so as I can 

 add compost for the roots of the suckers (previously pulling off 

 a few bottom leaves) to strike into. The plants being potted deep, 

 care must be observed respecting the bark's temperature in 

 plunging, so as not to risk a scald, as much depends on a proper 

 attention to the tan bed. 



Brancepeth Castle Gardens, Durham, Jan. 30. 1842. 



Art. XV. On protecting Peas, and other early Crops. By C. P. 



I sent you a description several years ago of the means used in 

 my garden for protecting early crops of peas, potatoes, and 

 other vegetables, but which has never been taken notice of. 



Situated as we are on the mountain limestone debris, I direct 

 the sods always to be taken from the millstone grit, which 

 change of soil insures a larger produce. On the removal of 

 the peas into the open air (observe, they are taken up and trans- 

 ported on boards), they are carefully covered over for a time 

 nightly, according to the state of the weather, by the protectors, 

 of which I here describe and send you a 

 sketch, {Jig. 15.) The cover consists of 

 five long and six short pieces of wood, 

 two long and two short form each side; ... 



.O . - . . ' Fig. 15. Cover for Peas and other 



a top piece is left longer, to form handles early crops. 



at each end, and the sides are attached to the top with hinges, 

 and kept apart by two stretchers. I form them of larch poles, 

 and cover with sugar mats, fastening the mats on with larch 

 laths, as more pliable and cheaper. The stretchers are made 

 removable, to allow of their being shut up when out of use; 

 otherwise they would take up much room. Two men will put 

 off and on an immense quantity in a few minutes; and if during 

 the growth of the peas, &c, they prove too low, they can be 

 raised by four bricks or stones. 

 F. H., Feb. I. 184-2. 



