484 
this the ground on the inside is dug, levelled, 
and raked, and four drills 3 inches deep are 
drawn lengthwise in each frame at equal dis- 
tances; but a greater space should be given 
between the first row and the front of the 
frame than that allowed between the rows 
themselves, because that part is naturally the 
dampest. 
As soon as the young plants are 4 inches 
high they are taken up without breaking the | 
roots, and planted in patches of three or four, 
placed 8 inches asunder in the row. 
frost the sashes are covered at night with 
straw-mats, and air is given whenever the 
weather is sufficiently mild. When the Peas 
are 9 inches high all the stems are inclined 
towards the back of the frame, and to keep 
them in this position a little soil is drawn to 
their base. When they come into blossom they 
are pinched above the third or fourth flower to 
make them fruit sooner. 
Whenever the sun has sufficiently warmed 
the ground, water is given, but only very 
sparingly till the plants begin to pod, other- 
wise a too vigorous growth, which would be 
detrimental to the crop, would be the result. 
Usually plants thus treated produce pods fit 
for gathering in the first fortnight in April. 
Although every possible care may have been 
taken to protect winter-sown Peas from acci- 
dents, the ravages of mice, birds, and other 
enemies, it frequently happens that the rows 
have many blanks; it is therefore a good plan 
to sow some ina frame for the purpose of fill- 
ing up vacancies. 
In the climate of Britain it rarely happens 
that the temperature is not above freezing 
point during some period of each day in winter; 
and Peas, when the plants are young, will bear 
several degrees of frost without injury. They 
may, therefore, be forwarded in any place where 
they can be protected at night, and that will be 
sufficient. They should be exposed to the open 
air and light on every favourable day for at 
least a short time to maintain the foliage in a 
green state, and induce a daily advance in 
growth. 
If frames are not at command, turf-pits could 
in many cases be formed with rods or slender 
poles laid to support thick straw-covers, fitted | 
crop are the Wrinkled Marrows. In warm soils 
so as to be easily rolled up or unrolled. Or the 
seeds might be sown in large pots, a branched 
twiggy stick, as tall as the plants are intended 
to be grown, being at the same time firmly 
inserted in the centre of the pot. Instead of 
this stick, Mr. Wilson employed moderately 
During | 
THE GARDENER’S ASSISTANT. 
strong willows, inserted at the sides of the pot, 
with courses of small twine run round the 
willows and at 6 inches apart.- The advantage 
of this mode is, that the plants can be kept in 
the pots till the produce is obtained, and pre- 
vious to that they can be moved to where there 
is light and a sufficient amount of heat. Peas, 
when young, will not bear forcing till they are 
out of bloom and the pods set; then they will 
bear it and be forwarded by it. 
MAIN CROP AND LATE PRAS. 
The sowings for the main crops should be made 
in March, April, and May, at intervals which 
must vary according to the variety employed 
and other circumstances. Many sow for suc- 
cession when the previous sowing appears above- 
ground ; but thisrule should not be madeabsolute. 
For example, a sowing made when the weather | 
is very favourable for vegetation, and on the first 
appearance of the previous sowing, will almost 
overtake it, and thus form too close a succes- 
sion. If sorts are employed that do not natu- 
rally form a succession, the sowings will require 
to be made at intervals of a fortnight or three 
weeks. The periods which the respective varie- 
ties require from the time of sowing till they 
come into bearing varies, of course, in different 
seasons and localities, so that the only way by 
which a correct knowledge as to those which 
will naturally form a succession can be acquired 
is to try the different varieties, and note the 
order in which they become fit for use, and 
then it will be easy to regulate the sowings 
so as to keep up a succession. By selecting 
proper sorts, and adopting a suitable mode of 
cultivation, Peas may be obtained until late in 
autumn. 
The soil should be well and deeply trenched, 
and if dry it should be thoroughly moistened, 
particularly the lower portion of it, otherwise 
the crop is apt to mildew. The ground being 
so far prepared, shallow trenches should be dug 
out as for Celery, and some good rotten dung 
laid in the bottom. Part of the soil turned out 
of the trench ought to be scattered over the dung, 
then a layer of dung and soil mixed; finally, a 
layer of soil without manure, and in that the 
seed should be sown. The best sorts for a late 
and situations these may be sown in the second 
or third week in June; but in the ‘northern 
parts of the kingdom the first week will be as 
late as they will blossom and form pods in any 
quantity. The tall sorts for late produce should 
