ON THE CULTURE OF EARLY PEAS. 
327 
of a vine fail first, the life of the young tree is unnecessarily shortened. 
But this argument has little weight, because a portion of old, or at least 
of the preceding year’s wood is used in all cases ; besides, we never see 
a vine die of old age, nor is it possible, if proper care be taken of the 
young shoots. 
But there is another, and the strongest argument of all in favour of 
vines raised from eyes. It has happened that a very general notion 
prevails as to these being more valuable to the planter than others, and 
purchasers prefer such plants, if they are to be had. In this, as in all 
other matters of bargain and sale, the public fancy must be gratified, 
and therefore nursery-men provide the plants to satisfy customers. 
This is all very well. 
The bark on the stem of an old grape vine has a very rugged and worn- 
out appearance; but this should never be allowed to accumulate under 
proper management. The outer bark is deciduous every third or fourth 
year; and nothing contributes more to the health and prosperity of 
the vine, than relieving it of its loose bark as often as is neccessary. 
ON THE CULTURE OF THE EARLY VARIETIES OF THE 
GARDEN PEA. 
Early peas are one of the luxuries of the garden, especially if they 
appear at table early in the month of May. Their earliness depends 
on the variety cultivated ; on the suitableness of the soil and season; 
and, lastly, on the care bestowed in nursing the plants through the 
winter. They are a plant that cannot bear much forcing, by reason of 
their rambling growth, requiring much more space upwards than can be 
afforded in any kind of glazed frame, which would not be, at the same 
time, detrimental to the health of the plants. 
To have them flower and pod as early as possible, it is necessary to 
sow in the autumn, and keep them growing slowly and well protected 
from the frosts of winter. The plant is not easily killed, if the situa¬ 
tion be sheltered, and the soil sandy and dry. Peas are oftener de¬ 
stroyed by March winds than even by severe frost : and even farmers 
are in more dread of bleak winds than of the hardest frost. 
Warm borders having a south aspect are invariably fixed on as a 
station for the earliest crops. In open situations, they are sometimes 
drilled on the south sides of ridges raised for the purpose. W hichever 
way of growing them be adopted, the process is so easy and well under¬ 
stood, that the subject scarcely requires a page in such a work as this, 
