December 11, 188''. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
519 
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COMING EVENTS 
11 
Th 
Sale of Orchids at Mr. Stevens’ Rooms, Covent Garden, 
12 
P 
Qiiekett Club at 8 P.sr. 
IS 
s 
14 
sun 
3ed Sunday in Advent, 
15 
M 
16 
TU 
17 
W 
Society of Arts at 8 P.M. 
NOTES ON PEAS. 
OE Peas, as for many other crops, the season 
of 1884 has been a very trying one. We must 
hope even this exceptionally dry season may 
aid us in the future, and we must do as Mr. 
Taylor did with the failings in his Vine borders, 
endeavour to profit thereby. We have not 
suffered much in either quantity or quality of 
the Peas, for we have a convenient and plentiful 
supply of both soft and spring water, but the 
latter is not so beneficial, as it is always cold and very hard. 
Such a season as the past will prove to gardener and em¬ 
ployer alike the great benefit of having an abundant supply 
of soft water, especially now that inside Vine borders are 
on the increase. Our principal rain supply runs beneath 
the floor of two sheds abutting on two furnaces, and has the 
advantage of always being well aired. This would appear 
to be of no small moment, as the effects of different water 
were very marked. 
One lesson is to extend our practice of having most of 
the trenches intended for Peas prepared now, or not later 
than January. For many reasons such work is often a con¬ 
venient course at this time, and if they are filled with strong 
fresh loam there is sufficient time for the rough grass to 
decay; and where crushed hones are largely used the soil 
is also the better for the extra few months. This being done, 
we usually spread a layer of cow manure along the rows. 
The covering of manure and the finer soil towards the top 
are worked well together. In the south, where most of the 
sowings are made earlier than with us, we would advise the 
trenches to be prepared proportionately earlier. Another 
advantage in this system is, that owing to the heavy rains 
during winter and spring the ground is thoroughly moist all 
through, and with a covering of spent bark is almost drought- 
proof. 
We protect any variety which may be somewhat tender 
by placing pieces of glass over the seed, and no good seed 
ever fails to germinate. In the absence of glass we often 
use narrow boxes raised a little at one side. When birds 
are troublesome we place lengths of ordinary wire netting, 
pressing the top together to form a sort of ridge, which also 
checks the cold winds. Besides this, however, we fence 
them in with a row of short sticks, and, like most people, 
use as many Spruce boughs as can be had. We may here 
say that we endeavour to provide sticks, &c., as early as 
possible; but it is a mistake to put long sticks to Peas at 
first, though, perhaps, in some cases it is a safe plan to 
stick Peas three and four times as they grow, according to 
height. Nor is there much gain in using the same rods two 
seasons, seeing that during the second year in use they are 
apt to he affected by fungus. 
Fortunately the varying fancies as to the flavour and 
height of varieties may easily be satisfied, for the number 
of forms is great, and the difference considerable. Not¬ 
withstanding that Ne Plus Ultra still heads the list as a late 
variety, many improvements have resulted from careful 
No. 233.—VoL. IX., Thted Series. 
hybridising. Circumstances are great rulers with regard to 
Pea culture ; small or large, high and low gardens have all 
to be studied. We, however, give decided preference to tall 
varieties, some of wEich often reach 9 to 10 feet, bearing 
enormous crops from the first week in July until the last 
in October last year, and until the month of November this 
year. With regard to the varieties we grow, it is almost 
needless to say, that with every advantage and care, each 
season some are condemned. 
American Wonder is all that could be desired in crop, 
size, and flavour. Earliest of All for the first time gave 
satisffiction, but appeared to require a richer soil than the 
majority of early varieties. We intend to grow this largely 
next season, sowing about the middle of January with 
American Wonder. William I. still proves a good early 
variety, and if sown about the middle of February is ready 
in July, being followed very closely by our general favourite 
Criterion, which comes into bearing nearly all at once, and 
so may soon be cleared away, giving plenty of air to rows 
of later varieties on each side. About the same time we 
have another old favourite, well named Hundredfold or 
Cooke’s Favourite, a most useful soup Pea, and when, as 
with us, two lots are required at one time, good old varieties 
must not be discarded. A new variety which has done well 
is Duke of Albany, coming in rather early, of good size and 
splendid flavour. It will be more largely grown next year. 
Walker’s Perpetual Bearer proved true to name, giving a 
continuous supply of good quality, if birds may be accepted 
as competent judges. Dr. McLean again proved good for 
soup. Some others will be left out, as they cannot rank 
with the grand Telephone. It now seems probable that 
the opinion we formed of the latter Pea for crossing pur¬ 
poses will be fully borne out. The new Lord Bacon may 
not be the last of its offspring. 
Sutton’s Giant Emerald Marrow next claims special 
mention, and is no less in favour now than eight years ago, 
when we grew it for the first time. It has a peculiar sweet¬ 
ness, is very distinct, and a heavy cropper. Duchess of 
Edinburgh is a first-class tall Pea. Evolution appears to 
have an extraordinary constitution. The dry weather seemed 
to have little or no effect upon it; it bears well, the peas 
are of fine size and very fine when cooked, yet not of the 
best flavour, but for exhibition it is certainly valuable, and 
is equally as good as a general crop and a late variety. 
Amongst the later Peas we greatly esteem Giant Marrow, 
though the pods this season did not all fill equally. The 
peas and crop was enormous and of excellent flavour. 
Altogether we consider this an indispensable general crop 
and late variety. Beading Giant, which appears to be an 
improved Ne Plus Ultra, grew about 10 feet high, bearing a 
very heavy crop throughout October. 
We had this year a number of trial rows, one each of the 
best and new varieties 10 feet apart, and the same in length, 
on a border facing west. These were sown thinly, and at 
the same time was sown, also rather thinly, along the same 
rows, a good strain of Sweet Peas of mixed colours. The 
culinary sorts each gave us a valuable dish, having had most 
of their points pinched out after showing four to six bloorns. 
Later on the Sweet Peas grew vigorously and made a fine dis¬ 
play until cut off by frost. Between these rows was a bed of 
Mignonette sown for the use of bees close by, and with a 
good patch of Borage appeared to be thoroughly enjoyed 
alike by the little workers and the lookers-on. —Lathyrus. 
CHRYSANTHEMUMS IN SMALL POTS. 
Acting! upon advice given in the Journal some two or three 
years ago, I have for the past two seasons had a very useful batch of 
Chrysanthemums in 4-inch and 5-inch pots, which I find invalu¬ 
able for furnishing the front stage of the conservatory and for 
filling vases in the house. 
We spare no pains in preparing nurnbers of different plants 
for winter tlowei'ing, many of which require double and treble the 
amount of time and care to produce as do these little gems in the 
No. 188!).—VoL. LXXr., Old Series. 
