CHAPTER XVI 



PEAS 



The first thing to plant in the open ground, when 

 spring arrives, is the pea. The pea has wonderful 

 endurance and vigor. Even a sharp frost can do 

 it little harm. 



Some people plant peas in the late fall to get an 

 early crop. This works well almost everywhere in 

 the temperate zone, with the sweet pea, grown for its 

 flower ; but the garden pea does not flourish so well 

 after a winter in the ground. There is a good deal 

 of testimony to show that it does not pay to plant 

 peas, hardy as they are, before spring has fairly 

 come and the winter frost is out of the ground. 



Kinds to Choose 



Plant at least two varieties of the pea as a staple 

 crop, frequently trying a third sort, to be sure noth- 

 ing good escapes you. The majority of experienced 

 gardeners give little space to the smooth varieties, 

 planting only wrinkled peas. There are smooth 

 peas that come a few days before the wrinkled peas, 

 but they are of poor quality compared with the 



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