KITCHEN-GARDEN VEGETABLES. 
be topped when 4 feet high, and again when 
6 feet. Harbinger and Chelsea Gem may be 
sown as late as the middle of July to afford a 
late supply, as they form pods in a shorter 
period from the time of sowing than the Mar- 
row kinds. 
The plants raised from these sowings should 
be earthed up and staked in the usual way, 
and care should be taken that the roots are 
supplied with moisture. If the air be hot and 
dry, the drain of moisture from the soil by the 
roots will be very great, so that before one is 
aware the soil is dry, and then the plants must 
suffer. If once too dry the evil cannot be 
effectually remedied, whereas it may be easily 
prevented by timely watering. If the weather 
continue dry, a good mulching with dung and 
leaf-mould will be very beneficial. 
It is not natural, however, for Pea-seeds to 
germinate in the hottest period of the season, | 
and then to have to grow, flower, and form 
seeds under a great decline of temperature. 
They succeed best when sown so that they 
may progress towards maturity with a rising 
temperature. Therefore it is probable that to 
obtain good late Peas with certainty would be 
to sow in pots in July, and keep the plants in a 
rather cool place till they had nearly advanced 
to a flowering state, and then remove them to 
a warmer situation, such as that in front of a 
south wall, where they could be protected if 
need be. In this way they would be kept com- 
paratively cool during the early period of their 
growth; and although the heat would decline 
as they advanced to flowering, yet to them the 
effects would be in a great measure counteracted 
by a removal from a cool to a warm aspect, 
where the plants would be exposed even to an 
increase of temperature compared with that in 
which they had been reared. 
To save Seeds.—In order to have well-matured 
seeds, the crop should be sown at the most 
favourable period for the uniformly progressive 
growth of the plant, and the best time for this 
is March. The very early sorts are more apt 
to be attacked by insects than later kinds, which 
are supposed to escape on account of their not 
coming into flower till the insect has changed. 
On this account it may be advisable, where early 
sorts are liable to be attacked, to sow them 
later, so that they may not come into flower 
when insects are abundant 
Insects, &c.—See chapter on this subject. Pea 
and Bean Weevils (Sitona crinita and S. lineata), 
Bean Beetle (Bruchus granarius), Pea Moth 
(Endopisa prozimana), Birds, Mice, &c. 
VoL. II. 
SELECTION OF VARIETIES. 
Although the varieties of Peas are very 
numerous, reputed new ones are eagerly sought 
for. Whilst this is the case, new names will 
doubtless annually appear in the seed ists, 
though the varieties to which such names are 
applied may not be distinct from some already 
known. The most stable of varieties may be 
grown under particular circumstances of soil 
and situation, and may in consequence be altered 
in character, an alteration, however, of only 
temporary duration; yet this is sometimes 
seized upon as a “new break”, and sent out 
under a new name. 
The following selections include only those 
that are of proved first-rate quality :— 
First Early, Dwarf. 
Chelsea Gem (fig. 1249).—About 15 inches high. Pods 
usually in pairs of moderate length, slightly curved, con- 
taining five to seven seeds, which are wrinkled and of 
first-rate quality and flavour. Sown March 7, fit for use 
June 17. Very heavy cropper. 
Excelsior (Sutton’s)—About 18 inches high. Pods 
usually single, long and straight, containing seven to 
eight large seeds, which are compressed, wrinkled, and of 
first-rate quality. Sown March 7, fit for use June 16. 
Heavy cropper. 
Green Gem (Sutton’s).—About 15 inches high. Pods 
single, long, broad, and straight, containing seven to ten 
large seeds, which are very dark green, compressed, 
wrinkled, remarkably sweet, and of fine quality. Sown 
March 7, fit for use June 14. Heavy cropper. 
Harbinger.—About 15 inches high. Pods usually single, 
long, straight, containing six to nine seeds, which are 
large, compressed, wrinkled, and of the finest quality and 
flavour. Sown March 7, fit for use June 11. Heavy 
cropper. 
Pierremont Gem.—About 12 inches high. Pods usually 
single, large, straight, containing six to eight seeds, which 
are large, compressed, wrinkled, and of the finest quality 
and flavour. Sown March 7, fit for use June 19. Heavy 
cropper. 
The Sherwood.—About 18 inches high. Pods usually 
in pairs, moderate length, straight, containing five to 
eight seeds, which are large, compressed, wrinkled, of 
fine quality and very sweet. Sown March 7, fit for use 
June 24. Very heavy cropper. 
First Early, Tall. 
Acme (Veitch’s).—About 38 feet high. Pods usually in 
pairs, of moderate size; nearly straight, containing seven 
to nine seeds, which are large, compressed, wrinkled, of 
the finest quality and flavour. Sown March 7, fit for use 
June 28. Very heavy cropper. 
Ameer.—About 4 feet high. Pods usually in pairs, 
large, curved, containing seven to ten seeds, which are 
large, compressed, round, of very good quality and flavour. 
Sown March 7, fit for use June 18. Extraordinary heavy 
cropper. 
Bountiful.— About 4 feet high. Pods usually single, 
long, straight, containing six to nine seeds, which are 
large, compressed, round, of an excellent sweet flavour. 
Sown March 7, fit for use June 17. Very heavy cropper. 
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