EARLY PEAS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20596, 21 June 1930, Page 29 (Supplement)

EARLY PEAS.

SOIL AND SITUATION*... j The soil and situation for growing early 1 potatoes should be equally suitable for the raising and growing of * early pea crops. The ground 1 for these, however, requires to be deeply worked 'and well manured. Probably no vegetable grown is more highly esteemed or more in demand than well-grown peas, and the longer their season of usefulness can be extended the more they are appreciated. For this reason early'sowings of the most approved and best cropping early varieties are always worth the risk. The pea is a fairly hardy subject and will stand a fair amount of frost without the foh'age being injured. The warmer and,better, the soil 1 and position, however, the more successful will be the 1 growth and crop obtained. The-ground for ...peas, requires to bo deeply dug and well manured so as to provide a ready.outlet for surplus moisture. Peas invariably thrive and produce better crops when grown in soils that are well provided with humus. Where animal manures are not-obtainable a good heavy green crop, dug in the ground, will assist to restore much of this essential food material to the soil. ' /' An inch'of " covering of good fine soil is ample for this season's sowiiig of peas. It is far better for early crops, as the plants advance in growth, to occasionally draw the soil up to the plants, as it provides a more ready drainage and-gives added warmth to the roots. Fairly wide drills should be drawn and the seed placed more thickly than for spring or summer sowings, so as to provide against losses by birds or other pests. If the soil is at all of a stiff, retentive nature a ,good sprinkling of lime, soot or wood ashes in the drills when sowing will be.beneficial. As soon as the plants appear above tha soil special care will be needed in protecting the plants from slugs, birds •or other pests. ' ■ .