CULTURAL DIRECTIONS 
409 
vegetables grown in the United States. It is almost 
invariably planted in home gardens, and truckers regard 
it as one of their leading vegetables for early and mid- 
summer sales. The crop is also canned to a great extent. 
555. Composition. — The table in Chapter XXV shows 
that this is one of our most nutritious vegetables. Besides 
being wholesome, the young tender peas are regarded as 
a delicacy. Being a legume, the soil is improved by its 
culture and this advantage is considered by truckers who 
are alert as to methods of making their lands more fer- 
tile. 
556. Varieties. — Varieties of peas may be classified as 
dwarf, half-dwarf and tall. The dwarf varieties, be- 
cause they do not require support, are most largely 
grown. The tall varieties, for the ground occupied, pro- 
duce much heavier yields, but must be supported. Varie- 
ties are also classified as smooth and wrinkled; there are 
dwarf and tall varieties of each class. The smooth peas 
may be planted earlier than the wrinkled, because they 
do not rot so quickly in the soil and the plants are 
hardier; but the wrinkled peas are sweeter and superior 
in quality. 
A third class, known as edible-podded or sugar peas, 
is grown to some extent in this country. The young 
tender pods are excellent when properly cooked and sea- 
soned. They may also be shelled, and only the peas 
eaten. 
Among the many varieties of peas the following are 
the most important: 
EXTRA EARLY SMOOTH PEAS 
Alaska is the most extensively grown for canning. 
The vines are 20 to 30 inches in height. The peas ma- 
ture practically at one time. Uniformity in time of 
maturing is exceedingly important when the peas are 
