894 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
February 20, 1897. 
ready for use on July 15th. The variety was raised 
by Messrs. Ed. Webb & Sons, Wordsley, Stour¬ 
bridge, at their Kinver Trial Grounds, where they 
have had it under trial for a number of years. 
Webbs’ Senator heads the list of Peas tried in the 
Corporation Allotments, Richmond, as well as at 
Chertsey, where numerous varieties were under the 
supervision of the Technical Education Committee 
of the Surrey County Council in 1896. The accom¬ 
panying illustration of this useful Pea was placed at 
our disposal by Messrs. Webb & Sons. 
Potatos in Greenland are said to grow never larger 
than a marble. 
DANIELS’ MATCHLESS MARROW. 
This fine Pea takes its place amongst the second 
early and main crop section. The haulm is very 
robust, attaining a height of 4 ft. to 5 ft., according to 
soil and situation. The pods are straight, of hand¬ 
some appearance, and vary from 4 in. to 6 in. in length, 
according to treatment and soil, the latter size being 
attested by gardeners who have grown it for exhibi¬ 
tion. Each pod contains from ten to twelve Peas of 
first-class flavour. The constitutional vigour of the 
variety stands it in good stead in droughty seasons 
when weeker varieties are likely to succumb to 
mildew. Under ordinary treatment it crops heavily, 
and such produce gives every satisfaction for table 
use ; but to grow it to its finest form for exhibition 
purposes, it must not be sown too thickly, either in 
the lines or from row to row, because being a tall 
grower it requires plenty of space for exposure to 
light and air. For a late supply it has also given 
great satisfaction. The accompanying illustration, 
furnished us by Messrs. Daniels Bros., Norwich, 
will give an idea of the fine appearance and hand¬ 
some size of the pods. 
-- 
FORCING PEAS. 
There are various methods by which Peas may be 
forced, but as a profitable venture I doubt very 
much whether they can be made to pay. However, 
happily it is not a question of profit with the private 
gardener in all things, and it is just as well, when he 
is expected to keep up a supply of Peas from, say 
the end of March, until the crop is fit in the open 
ground for gathering. 
The usual method of forcing Peas is by means of 
frames placed on a prepared hotbed, and the frames 
are best prepared in the beginning of January, and 
may consist of litter from the stable and fresh 
leaves in equal portions. After the material has been 
frequently turned over, the bed should be built 
regularly to the depth of 2$ ft. or 3 ft. and of any 
dimensions suitable to the size of the frame at hand, 
not forgetting to form the bed 3 ft. each way wider 
than the frame. A foot of any ordinary garden soil, 
if fairly rich, should be placed on the bed and 
allowed to become warmed throughout before the 
Peas are planted. In the meantime, the Peas will 
have been sown at the end of November or beginning 
of December, in 5-in. pots, six or seven seeds being 
placed in each, and brought along gently in a tem¬ 
perature of from 45 c to 50°. Finally they should be 
planted in the frame after the heat has risen, and is on 
the decline to about 70° bottom heat. The distance 
between the rows will be regulated by the height of 
the variety : but in any case it is better to err on the 
safe side and not plant too thickly, as a better crop is 
secured. The advantage of sowing in pots and trans¬ 
planting is that the roots and growth get slightly 
checked in the operation, and are not so liable to 
grow so rank, but are more fruitful. Water should 
be given when required, and on no account should 
they become dry after they begin to open their 
flowers, or the pods may not set well, and'may only 
contain a few Peas instead of being full. 
Covering of the frames with mats will require 
consistent attention, and the ventilation will also 
require equal care ; but if the temperature can be 
maintained from 50° to 6o° the growth should be 
satisfactory. Staking should be early attended to. 
I have found it a good plan to lay a few rough 
branches between the rows fiat down, instead of the 
usual method of staking upright, as very often the 
growth is apt to become too tall for the space allowed. 
This arrangement affords a means of support that is 
the next best to being upright. 
Another method which was amply demonstrated 
at the last Temple Show, by Messrs. Sutton & Sons, 
is that of growing in boxes or troughs. These boxes 
may be made in lengths of 3 ft. to 4 ft., 15 in. wide, 
and the same in depth, and filled with suitable soil 
after being well drained. The seed can either be sown 
in the box or transplanted as before mentioned. One 
advantage gained by this method is that the boxes can 
be removed to any structure found necessary to secure 
a suitable temperature. Then again, Peas can be 
grown successfully in pots of 10 in. to 12 in. in 
diameter, and, like the boxes, can be shifted about 
at will, only more care is necessary with water. 
When the roots become bound, and the pods well 
set, frequent waterings of soot water will help to give 
colour to the Peas. 
To afford a succession, a crop can be easily 
secured by sowing in a cold frame, and this plan of 
growing Peas is usually the most profitable, requiring 
little trouble. The crop is usually as abundant and 
good as that grown in the open ground. Green fly, 
in the early stages of growth, may give a little 
trouble, but a slight fumigation with Richard’s XL 
All, I have found, speedily removes them and does 
no damage to the growth of the Peas. 
Tall varieties, it need hardly be said, are not at all 
suitable for forcing; in fact, anything over 2 ft. 
should be left out, although I have had a fine crop of 
Duke of Albany early in April, but only by way of 
experiment, having had at the time plenty of space. 
