PEAS 155 



them after they have grown five or six inches high. 

 By this method the roots are well covered with the 

 moist earth, and when the hot days come, they keep 

 cool and free from the effects of the hot sun, which 

 is quick to dry the vines if the roots are not well 

 covered and protected. 



Thinning Out. — When the peas are up an inch 

 or so, it is time to thin them out. Crowding is 

 responsible for many poor crops of peas. Thin out 

 the dwarf peas so that they stand about an inch 

 apart, and the tall ones so that they stand about an 

 inch and a half apart. Pull out the weaker sprouts 

 first. It may take some courage to thin them out, 

 but it pays in the end. 



Protection from Birds. — Blackbirds are fond 

 of pea vines when they are young and tender. Some- 

 times they will nip off the sprouts and spoil a long 

 row in one early breakfast. A white string, stretched 

 above the row, with white rags tied here and there, 

 will usually keep them away. Small flags, made 

 by tying a strip of white cotton cloth to a stick, 

 stuck along every fifteen or twenty feet, will serve 

 well also. If there are many blackbirds about, it 

 is a wise gardener who takes this easy precaution. 

 It is a little too late after the birds have been there. 



Caring for the Vines 



The dwarf peas need no further care, except cul- 

 tivation to keep the earth soft and free from weeds. 



