110 PIGTOBIAL PBAGTIGAL VEGETABLE GBOWING. 



on record of much quicker work than is there recorded. Thus, I ain 

 acquainted with one grower whose invariable practice it is to sow 

 Ne Plus Ultra just eight weeks before the day on which he wants to 

 show it. I think, however, that the case must be regarded as excep- 

 tional, although it may not be unique. 



It is easy, by cultural means, to greatly increase the size of Pea 

 pods. The first step is to pinch out the growing tips of the plants, 

 and the time for this is when they are coming into bloom, though it 

 might be done a little before ; or, on the other hand, just after the 

 pods have formed. The second is to thin the pods. The third is to 

 feed with liquid manure. 



It is a safe rule to have the rows the same distance apart as the 

 plants grow high, but as some seedsmen are a little inclined to 

 understate the height of their Peas, it is wdse to allow an extra foot. 

 Thus, rows of a variety said to be 4 feet high might be 5 feet 



V 



iNAILS 



FIG. 64.-A SUBSTITUTE FOR PEA STICKS. 



Boards are placed at every 6 yards length of row, nails driven into 

 each edge, and thatching cord is attached. 



apart. It is best, in theory, to have the rows running north and 

 south, although if plenty of room is given this is not vital. 



Speaking of varieties, one is torn by conflicting emotions when 

 one reads of the meagre list of a century ago. Our forefathers had 

 none of the splendid varieties which we now enjoy, and so far they 

 are to be pitied, but we must set against this the fact that they were 

 saved the distraction of reading descriptions of some hundred or more 

 sorts, all of which are spoken of as indispensables. 



It has been my happy fate to grow many hundred varieties of 

 garden Peas, and so full of interest is the trial system that I suppose 

 I shall go on to the end of the chapter. In looking backward, I am 

 able to realise what a great advance has been made. So good are 

 the best of our modern Peas that it is difficult to see that much 

 further improvement is possible. After a dip into past and present 

 trial books, I have ventured to make some short lists of the varieties 

 which have done best. 



(1) DiA:arf Earlies. (2) Dwarf Earlies, (3) Dwarf Earlies, 



slightly later. later still. 



Oic'lsea Gem Carters' Dais}^ Suttons' Favourite 



Wilham Hurst Enghsh Wonder 



The Sherwood 



