CHAPTER XV 



PULSE CROPS 

 Pea, Beans. 



BoTANiCALLY peas aud beans are very closely re- 

 lated, but they have few points in common from the cul- 

 tural point of view, since peas are hardy, cool -season 

 plants and beans are tender and warm -season plants. 

 Both are leguminous crops, and are therefore capable of 

 using atmospheric nitrogen. As garden crops, how- 

 ever, they may need applications of nitrogen in order to 

 secure a quick start, particularly if an early crop is de- 

 sired. "It is frequently the wiser economy to apply 

 nitrogen, particularly if they are raised upon land which 

 has not been previously planted with these crops, and 

 thus may not possess the specific nitrogen -gathering 

 bacteria.'' * 



PEA 



Peas are a partial -season crop, requiring cool season 

 and a soil not over rich ; seed is soivn where the plants are 

 to stand; groivn in drills; hardy. 



Garden peas are of the easiest culture. They thrive 

 best in spring rather than in summer, but they also 

 thrive in fall from late -sown seeds. In summer they 



*Voorhees' Fertilizers, 269. 



(380) 



