32 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



cooking in the dry state, split or whole, are usually obtained from 

 the large and plump seeded hardy and heavy-cropping sorts, 

 such as the Blue Imperials. 



Sugar or Mangetout Peas, with thick and fleshy pods, 

 although largely used on the Continent, may be dismissed as 

 almost unknown in English cookery. 



Agbicultural Peas. 

 Our second principal division of the cultivated Pea, although 

 strictly within the limits of my paper, can only claim a passing 

 mention here, as but little improvement has been attempted 

 amongst them — an advance in earliness only, as hereafter shown, 

 having been secured. 



I will now endeavour to see in what directions improvements 

 in the Garden Pea should be looked for. These appear to me 

 chiefly to be — 

 In Shelling Peas : 



Increased precocity and earlier and later fitness for gathering 

 green, coupled with a hardier and more vigorous plant. 



Increased productiveness, especially for market and large 

 culture. 



Larger size, with ample filling of the pod and proportionate 

 size of the Peas ; and especial attention to the beauty and 

 colour of the pod for market purposes. 



A more continuous period for gathering green in the second 

 early, main-crop, and late classes ; and in some cases 



A more protracted and simultaneous maturing amongst the 

 carlies, in order that the ground may be quickly cleared for 

 re-cropping. 



A reduction of the extreme leafy propensity in the later 

 varieties, so as to counteract mildew. 



And where large pods have been obtained through the inter- 

 vention of the Sugar Pea, to endeavour to reduce or eliminate the 

 excess of thickness and fleshy substance of the shell. 

 In Boiling Peas : 



Increased productiveness and hardiness of plant, combined 

 with a fair length of straw and easy solubility in cooking of the 

 ripe seed, which should be also of good size. 



And all new introductions should be capable of setting their 

 flowers freely in moist weather. 



