EARLY PEAS TRIED AT WTbsLE Y, 1915. 



279 



secure an award, is a plant of considerable interest in that it flowers 

 on the fifth or sixth node. As the node on which a pea produces its 

 first flowers is at least as good an index of its time of maturity as the 

 actual date of fruiting — for evidently the latter is subject to many 

 vicissitudes — this pea, flowering on so low a node, is in all probability 

 the earliest pea yet produced. It is the more unfortunate, therefore, 

 that it lacks other desirable qualities, but it may serve for purposes 

 of cross-breeding. In this connexion it should be noticed that, as 

 most growers are aware, an early crossed with a later pea gives in the 

 first generation peas which arrive at maturity at an intermediate 

 date, but rather nearer the later parent. These intermediate plants, 

 when self-fertilized, give some peas as early as the early parent. 



It is to be noted that the usual rough division of varieties into 

 dwarf, semi-dwarf, and tall is insufficient. As a result of the com- 

 parison of the records it has been found necessary to make four cate- 

 gories, viz. : — Peas up to ij foot ; above ij foot and under 3 feet ; 

 above 3 feet and under 4 J ; above 44 feet and under 6. 



The trial gives evidence that much effort is being devoted to the 

 improvement of peas, such as two-poddedness, size of pod, and regu- 

 larity of stature, particularly dwarfness. Those engaged in this work 

 deserve the best thanks of the community for the success which has 

 attended their efforts. One criticism may perhaps be hazarded : that 

 is, that many raisers appear to be seeking for size at the sacrifice of 

 flavour. 



Those familiar with the history of varieties of peas will note with 

 interest that, as shown in the accompanying table, certain stocks 

 of well-known varieties have in the course of selection lost their 

 earliness. Cases in point are ' Ameer/ and certain selections of ' The 

 Pilot ' and ' William I.' 



List of Varieties.* 



5. King of the Dwarfs. 



I Chelsea Rival. 

 4- I 



'-Bijou Forcing. 



17. Referendum. 



l8 - ^Pioneer. 

 19./ 



20 ' / English Wonder. 



22. Marvellous. 



Peter Pan. 



2 



8 



Excelsior. 



12. 



10. 



13- J 



14. Laxtonian Improved. 



11. 



^Laxtonian. 



The Sherwood. 



Hundredfold. 



24. J 



25. Green Gem. 



26. Reading Wonder. 



27. Prince Arthur. 



28. Top of the Morn. 



29. 38/1. 



30. 71/70. 



31. 126/11. 



32. 130/34- 



* See footnote, p. 117. 



