Page:The family kitchen gardener - containing plain and accurate descriptions of all the different species and varieties of culinary vegetables (IA familykitchengar56buis).pdf/100

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the ground in a slanting direction. On the other side of the row reverse the position of the stakes, which affords the vines more protection and security. When they show their first blossoms, it is a good plan to top off the point of the vine It then ceases to grow, and throws all its strength into the pods, by which they swell off more readily. Early Peas should be sown in drills two inches deep, and the seeds about one inch apart in the drills and two and a half feet from drill to drill. If stakes are scarce, two rows of Peas can be sown six inches apart, and then two rows the same way, four feet between each pair of rows. This is the general system, though I do not see what are its advantages. If the same quantity of seed be put into one row, it appears evident the product will be the same; but I have not satisfactorily tried the experiment. The height to which Peas grow very much depends upon the season and soil. Early sorts, in a dry Spring, will grow two feet, while in a moist season they will grow four. Many of the Marrow Peas in some seasons will grow six feet, and in others ten. The spaces between the rows of early Peas can be planted with Lettuce or Beans. The late kinds, where the rows are four to six feet apart, can be planted with early Celery—the vines will partially shade the young plants till they have taken root. The late Peas can also go on ground whence early Lettuce or Spinach has been taken. If the kinds we have named be sown from early in Spring to the 10th of May, a crop of young Peas will be in constant succession from May to the end of July. August, and the two first weeks of September, in this vicinity and South, will be in want of green Peas, which is very liberally supplied with the varieties of Beans. Early Peas may again be sown about the 15th of August. If the weather be dry, soak the Peas twenty-four hours in water before sowing. Indeed this is an excellent practice with all the tribe. When the ground is dry, the drills should have water poured into them before being planted, the seed will then grow at once, and not be in the least retarded, should