THE PEA 117 
it is attached to each half of the pea. At the 
top of the root there is a small round knob. This 
is the head of the baby pea plant. Notice how 
it is attached to the two halves of the pea. 
These halves are called the seed leaves. Can 
you find the little grooves in the seed leaves 
into which the pea fits ? 
Information 
The pea is a seed, and will grow to a new plant or vine if 
planted. These fresh green peas will not grow now, however. 
They are not ripe. Even if they were ripe, they would not 
grow if taken out of the pod and planted. They need to be 
well dried first and to rest for a while before they are ready 
to sprout. 
If you want to try sprouting peas, get some dried peas at the 
grocer’s. Soak them over night in warm (but not hot) water, 
and in the morning plant them in damp sand, earth, or sawdust. 
Keep the soil watered, but not wet enough to rot the peas. 
In about a week the peas will sprout and little plants will come 
up. 
Early dwarf peas can be bought m small packages at the seed 
stores, and these generally blossom and often bear pods when 
grown in the house in pots or boxes. Grocery store peas seldom 
blossom, but die down when they are a few inches high; so if 
you wish to study the growing plant at home you would better 
get the best seeds to begin with. Do not plant them too close 
