LEGUMINOUS PLANTS. 



103 



the plants ought to stand the winter, as they will bear frost but not 

 much damp. These give fruit in May, but I have known the whole 

 crop to be cut off by a snow-storm when they have been in flower 

 in the month of April. The first pea which is sown goes in the trade 

 under many names, having little or no difference. Advertising seeds- 

 men always have a pea to be fit ten days earlier than any other, but the 

 22nd of May is the earliest date at which peas ever come to the London 

 market. Mr. Jackson of Grays, who has frequently sent the first peas to 

 market, sows a selected stock of Daniel O'Rourke. In the second week 



Fig. 144. — Dixon's Early Pea, \ diam. 



Fig. 14s.— Champion of England Pea, J diam. 



of November, we sow Dixon's First and Best (fig. 144), or Sutton's 

 Ringleader for autumn planting. For sowing in February we obtain 

 Daniel O'Rourke, which is better flavoured and rather more tendei 

 than the other varieties. All these sorts when they come to table are 

 like little round bullets, with but little flavour. The ripe seed is 

 round and smooth on the surface. 



In February a really fine pea is sown— the Champion of England 

 (fig. 145). This should be sown every two or three weeks in succession. 

 It grows about five feet high in my soil, and if planted at the same 

 time as Daniel O'Rourke comes into bearing two or three weeks later. 



In the beginning of March the finest of all peas is sown, called 

 Veitch's Perfection (fig. 146), The haulm is from three to four feet 



