52 THE BOOK OF VEGETABLES 



much better quality, size, and dwarfness of haulm. 

 There is now no need to grow the small, white, early 

 pea so much seen in our gardens many years ago, or 

 what may be termed field peas, that so soon got old 

 and flavourless. On the other hand there is a difficulty 

 in most gardens in having green peas at the end of May, 

 and such peas are worth special culture. Some which 

 have a distinct marrow flavour and are good croppers, are 

 equally hardy with the old Kentish Invicta or Sangster's 

 No. i. I shall not recommend any varieties having a 

 thin, weak haulm, even though such peas may be a few 

 days earlier than the stronger growers; for though 

 earliness, especially in large market gardens, means a 

 great difference in the price received for the produce, 

 I am sure that the balance would be on the right 

 side if a better quality pea was grown, and a variety 

 specially selected for the purpose named. I am not an 

 admirer of the very small dwarf peas from six inches high. 

 I do not think that these very dwarf growers are the best 

 if quantities are required, though of course a few rows 

 for first supplies, and for frame culture, are valuable, but 

 for general use such kinds as Chelsea Gem, the Sutton 

 Seedling, Marrowful, and Bountiful are splendid types 

 for earliest supplies in the open. To these may be 

 added Carter's Early Morn and Daisy, a very fine 

 selection, both as regards crop and flavour, with 

 earliness combined. Of course there are other varieties 

 equally good, but space does not allow me to give a 

 long list of names, and those I note are types of the best 

 kind for early work ; and the pea being such a favourite 

 vegetable, I will endeavour to give as long a supply as 

 possible. To do this it will be necessary to divide 

 the different kinds into four classes, early, second early, 

 mid-season, and late ; though I regret to say that in many 

 gardens it is a difficult matter to grow late peas. This 

 often happens in a light gravelly soil, and in the 



