8 
The Illustrated Guide for Amateur Gardeners 
PEAS. 
Cultivation. — Peas form ono of the most valuable of garden crops, and when onco started into growth, require, under favourable conditions, little 
attention beyond the staking of such varieties as need support, and mulching and watering in dry weather. Peas require a good rich soil, which should 
be well trenched, and should receive a liberal supply of well-decomposed manure early in the season. They aro essentially a moisture loving plant, and 
only when the ground is well prepared can really satisfactory results be assured. Given these conditions, it is possible by a succession of sowings to have 
a continuous supply of Peas for tho table from June till October, or even later. 
First oarly varieties should be sown from tho middle of January onwards, and the bost sorts in this class are Daniels’ Gem of the Season, Earliest of 
All, and The Pilot ; if the seed is sown in boxes under glass in January, hardened off in a framo and planted out at tho latter end of March or early in 
April, an advantage of ten days or a fortnight may be gained. Second early and main crop kinds should be sown in March and April, and for late use 
a succession of sowings at intervals from the beginning of May until the end of June should be made. For these sowings the tall varieties will bo found 
more productive, and not so liable to mildew during hot weather. It should be borne in mind that although most of tho Wrinkled seeded varieties 
may be sown in March, we do not recommend this unless the season is exceptionally favourable. We find from a careful record extending over ten 
years, that little if any advantage is gained by too early sowings, and that Peas sown at the beginning of April take less time to come to maturity 
than the earlier sown ones. If this rule was more generally followed, we should hear less about bad germination amongst this class of Peas 
especially in cold wet seasons. The seed should be sown in drills and covered about two inches deep ; allow four or five feet between each row unless 
it is desired to grow somo other crop botween, when the rows may be 12 to 15 feet apart. Let the rows run from north to south thus allow- 
ing the plants to receive a maximum of light and air. 
Peas suffer greatly from the depredations of all kinds of vermin, and it 
will always be found of advantage to give protection either by wire pea 
guards or some other means while the plants are growing. The rows 
should be earthed up before they are staked, and this should be done when 
tho plants are about four inches high. If the tops of tho sticks aro cut 
evenly, and the pieces which aro cut off placed between the largo sticks 
at the base, they will prevent the plants from falling about, and give them 
an upward tendency from the start. 
A good mulching of manure placed on each side of tho row will help to 
retain the moisture in dry weather. Where this is not possible they must 
bo regularly watered during dry periods, and liquid manure given once 
a week ; a mixture containing four ounces Nitrato of Soda to one gallon of 
water will bo found very useful for this purpose. 
When it is desired to grow Peas for exhibition purposes the following 
points should be observed : — Sow the seed very thinly on ground that 
has been especially deeply trenched for the purpose, and which has been 
dressed with old farmyard manure or the remains of an old mushroom bod. 
If they are needed for oarly Summer Shows it may bo desirablo to raise 
the seed on turves in a greenhouse and transfer them bodily to the border 
when about four inches high, but, generally speaking, if the seed is sown 
in rows in March and April it will be found early enough. 
When the plants havo shown about four blooms, pinch out the leader 
or top of the haulm. As soon as tho pods have formed, choose the best 
shaped, and remove the others, leaving only two or three on each plant. 
Always select the strongest and healthiest plants for this purposo. When 
ready to gather, do not handlo the pods, but cut off with scissors so as to 
retain their bloom. 
NEW PEA, DANIELS' EXPRESS. 
A grand new first early Marrowfat variety, growing to the 
height of about 18 inches, and of great productiveness, bearing 
a profusion of handsome dark green pods, 4| to 5 inches in 
length, well filled with peas of the most delicious marrow flavour. 
In habit of growth it somewhat resembles Competitor, but the 
pods are much darker in colour and better filled. We can 
strongly recommend this as one of the finest first early varieties 
yet introduced. Per 1 pint Is. 6d. ; per pint 2s. 6d. 
NEW PEA, THE PILOT. 
This valuable introduction is rapidly taking a leading place 
amongst the most useful varieties, both for market and private 
garden purposes. It is a first early cropper producing deep green 
pods of the well-known Gradus type, and on account of its hardy 
constitution and the seed being round it may be sown very early 
with the certainty of a crop. It is a vigorous branching plant, 
growing three feet in height, bearing a large proportion of 
the pods in pairs, which contain fine deep green peas of excellent 
marrow flavour. Per pint Is. 6d ; per quart 2s. 9d. 
DANIELS’ EXPRESS. 
“ I might mention that I had splendid results from your Seeds last year. The 
Gradus and Recorder Peas were especially fine.” — Mr. E. MACAULAY, Bournemouth. 
" I had a splendid crop of Peas last year, although in a town garden.” — Mr. R. 
MACARTNEY, Liverpool. 
” I had some excellent crops of Peas last year from your Seeds.” — Miss 
CHITTENDEN, Broxbourno. 
