CULTURAL DIRECTIONS 
411 
the large commercial plantings are made very early in 
the spring. The North naturally provides the best con- 
ditions, although excellent results are obtained through- 
out the South when advantage is taken of the cooler 
months. It is grown largely for northern shipments in 
some of the trucking districts of the South. There must 
be an ample rainfall to insure a full crop. In hot weather 
the growth is weak and mildew is liable to appear. Un- 
less the growth is very tender, the plants will stand hard 
freezing, although they are sometimes injured when 
freezes occur after several days of good growing 
weather. 
558. Soil. — A cool, moist but well-drained soil is essen- 
tial to the largest yields. The sandy loams are pre- 
ferred, although good results can be obtained on any 
loose, friable and well-prepared soil. The heavier soils 
are greatly improved for peas by the addition of humus 
in some form. Clay and silt loams are used advan- 
tageously for the late crop. 
559. Fertilizing. — The pea does best in soils abound- 
ing in vegetable matter, but not containing excessive 
amounts of nitrogen. Land highly manured the preced- 
ing year furnishes ideal conditions for peas. Fresh 
stable manures should never be employed immediately 
before planting, but rotten manure may be used freely. 
When clover sods, crimson clover, cowpeas and soy 
beans are available to plow down, there is no need of 
stable manures. The bulk of the crop is grown by the 
use of commercial fertilizers. Although it is a legume, 
the early plantings begin growing long before nitrifica- 
tion is active, and some quickly available nitrogen is 
therefore essential for the early plantings. A small per- 
centage of nitrogen is very generally regarded as profit- 
able for plantings at all seasons, but there must be no 
lack of the mineral elements. Five hundred pounds of 
fertilizer containing 2 or 3 per cent of nitrogen and 8 to 
