A SIMPLE BOX FOR BAISIXG PEAS. 



109 



that early picking which we all set so much store by. It is, of course, 

 largely a question of conveniences, but still more of natural advan- 

 tages. Do what they will, I am afraid that those persons who have 

 no comfortable, well-protected borders, but whose quarters are 

 exposed to the cold winds of spring, will not succeed in getting Peas 

 so early as others who are more favourably situated. 



By sowing Peas in boxes in January or February, starting them 

 in vineries. Peach houses, or greenhouses, hardening them in a 

 frame, and planting them out in March or April, a gain can be 

 effected. 



An outdoor sowing can be hurried along to some degree by laying 

 some short, crumbly, well-decayed manure, mixed with wood ashes, 

 in the trenches ; but my experience with the Pea is that in the main 

 it likes to take its own time, and means to do it. It will not start 

 freely in a very dry soil, but, on the other hand, neither will it in a 

 very wet one. There is, however, this consolation — the row that is 



the most deliberate in establishing itself often gives the best 

 crop. 



The period of outdoor sowing , is a long one, but it is not the 

 general custom nowadays to extend it so much as was once the case, 

 except in the very large establishments. Thus, autumn sowing is 

 probably less common than it used to be. There is never a certainty 

 that it is going to give a gain, because the weather cannot be fore- 

 casted. Sometimes it does, sometimes it does not. A span of Feb- 

 ruary to June, making the latest sowings of early varieties, sums up 

 most people's practice. 



I should like to utter an emphatic warning against shallow sowing. 

 It is common to inveigh against thick seeding, but depth is left out 

 of account. It ought not to be. People sometimes find their young Peas 

 lying on the surface of the soil, and straightway breathe anathemas 

 against the birds, the mice, the worms, and, broadly speaking, all 

 animate creation except themselves. Now, Peas sown very shallow 

 will often force themselves out of the soil in the process of swelling 

 and germinating. Three inches is not a fraction too deep. 



It may be interesting to dwell for a moment on the time required 

 for a crop to be fit to gather from the sowing. I have given what I 

 consider fair averages in a preceding table, but of course instances are 



3. FEET- 



V Piece FOR ENDS 



FIG. 63.-A SIMPLE BOX FOR RAISING PEAS. 



