GARDEN PEAS. 



259 



it is pretty certain each row, though sown with seeds which are 

 the produce of an undivided plant, would produce plants showing 

 great diversity in habit of growth, earliness, and in the character of 

 the pod and seeds. As a general rule, after reaching this point 

 it is necessary to select the most promising plant in each of the 

 six rows, and by succeeding selections fix the character of the 

 particular variety. It very likely happens that the best type 

 obtained from a particular cross is found in selections made in 

 the fourth and fifth year after the cross was made. By the same 

 process of cross-fertilisation, the Sweet Pea has been vastly 

 improved, and the varieties largely increased. 



Before closing my paper. I think it may interest my hearers 

 to know what I consider the best Peas that have been intro- 

 duced into commerce up to the present time, or perhaps I 

 should say the best Peas that exist now for purposes of growing 

 (1) in gentlemen's gardens and also (2) for market gardens. 

 Possessing a trial ground where every sort of Pea introduced 

 has been grown, and all their different characteristics and 

 qualities carefully noted, I think you will agree that from in- 

 spection year by year I am able to form a pretty good estimate 

 of what are the best varieties according to our tests. It is quite 

 possible, however, that my estimate may not be generally 

 admitted to be correct ; neither do I claim that it should be so : 

 I am only expressing my own opinion, in the hope that it may 

 be of service to Pea growers in general. 



On the following page will be found the lists of what I con- 

 sider to be the leading varieties at the present time ; — 



