PARSNIP—PEA. 71 
Seeds are produced in heads, two seeds being formed 
together, flat against one another; ripening is known 
when these twin seeds begin to separate. 
Harvest, Cleaning, Etc.—These operations are 
similar to those given for celery, to which refer. 
Market.—Parsnip seed follows carrot in order of 
consumption; at least fifty per cent. of the quantity 
handled at present by the trade is purchased in Europe, 
‘the rest is produced here, in New England, the Middle 
and Western States and in Eastern Washington. In a 
favorable season a seed yield is from five hundred to 
six hundred pounds per acre, at from eight to ten cents 
per pound to the grower. 
PEA. 
The best soil for a crop of pea seed is that of a light 
character, moderately rich, less manure being actually 
required than for most other crops. Moreover it 
should be in good mechanical condition, as peas are not 
cultivated. The pea self-fertilizes, and different varie- 
ties may be grown near each other without admixture. 
To have perfectly matured seed, sowing for a seed- 
crop should be deferred until the most favorable period 
for the uniformly progressive development of the plant, 
which in the present favored seed-pea growing sections 
of the United States—Central Michigan and Northern 
New York—is about May 15th; in fact, as soon as frost 
is entirely out of the ground, sometimes a week or more 
earlier than date given. 
Sowing is made in drills, 4 to 1 inch apart in the 
row, the rows 8 to 12 inches apart; about three bushels 
of seed are sown per acre. 
Stock or planting seed should be pure and have been 
grown with careful attention to roguing; but roguing 
