GROWING EXHIBITION GARDEN PEAS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20290, 24 December 1927, Page 3

GROWING EXHIBITION GARDEN PEAS.

FOR EXHIBITION AND HOME USE. CULTURAL DIRECTIONS, By J. Fleming, F.R.H.S. One may safely state that no vegetable cultivated in the kitchen garden is now held in higher estimation than tho pea, and also that no vegetable has been more improved during tho past 20 years. This latter remark applies to first early, midsoason, and late varieties. Not only has size of pod, appearance, and productiveness been advanced, but the quality has been greatly improved. No crop will better reward the grower for high, cultivation than peas, and, fortunately, there is no soil that, when properly dealt with, will not produce peas in perfection. The ground must be worked to a good depth, either by trenching or by preparing trenches much in the same way as for celery. The latter plan I much prefer for mid-season and late crops, as one is able to give manorial aids readily, and such rows are easily supplied with water. For first early varieties, deep trenching, providing plenty of good material be worked in. will do equally well. Ono must remember that peas are deep rooting, and will penetrate to a great depth in search of food. There fore, the first and most important matter in relation to high-class peas is the preparation of the land. Tho ground should bo trenched in autumn or winter, and plenty of good manure should bo worked in. When tho work is finished' apply a good dressing of soot and wood ashes, and when the soil is destitute of lime, add a good dressing of this also. The surface should be left rough until spring. Endeavour to place tho rows as far apart as possible, RAISING UNDER GLASS.

With our invariable local climatic conditions in the spring months, one cornos more strongly than ever to believe in raising young plants under glass for transference to their permanent quarters when from 2in to Sin high. Not only i s little trouble incurred, but much better results accrue. Of course, this applies to first early and second early crops. Seeds should bo carefully hand-picked, selecting only the finest, as it is quite impossible to produce the finest peas from small, badly ripened, cracked, or deformed seeds. There are several methods of raising peas under glass, in small pots and turves, etc., but there is nothing more simple or bettor than ordinary seed boxes 4|in in depth. These should be filled with a compost consisting of two parts turfy loom, ono part old decayed manure, and one part clean leaf soil, used in a moderately dry condition and made fairly firm. Distribute the seeds evenly, about 2in apart, and cover them with half an inch of soil. Thoroughly soak the soil with water, and place Iho boxes in a coo! house. Immediately the seedlings appear, remove the boxes to a cold frame, and afford plenty of air so as to gradually harden th 0 plants before planting out. Choose a fine day for planting, lift the plants carefully, with as much soil as possible, and put them out in double lines, allowing ample room between each. The distance between the plants must bo determined by the variety, for those of medium height 6in will suffice, but Sin will be none too much room for strong, tall-growing peas, such ns V.C or Quito Content. Plant firmly, and surface between the plants with finely sifted cinder ashes to prevent damage from slugs. A very important matter in pea culture for exhibition or for home use is that of supporting the growths. Good manuka stakes are much to be preferred to any others. livery caro must be taken to ensure that not only is the work effectually done, but neatly also, because a wellstaked row of peas is good to see. The height of the, sticks must be determined by the variety grown," but it is a good plan to allow rather more than the catalogue height of the variety. Staking should bo done immediately th e plants are put out, and the tops which arc trimmed from the sticks should be placed thickly along the base and shelter the young plantand assist them upwards. Birds, especially sparrows, may do damage to the young plants ; therefore, to bo on the safe side, cover the rows with garden netting. Should the weather he dry, give the rows a thorough soaking with clear water.

OUTDOOR SAVING. I’or outdoor sowings the seed should bo dibbled in twice as thickly as it is intended to leave the plants. Thin the latter out to the right distance when about 3in high, and at the same time stake the rows, p.nd take measures to prevent slugs

or birds damaging the crop. Side growths should be cut away regularly, and the points of the leading growths must be removed directly the third or fourth flower spike is visible. The finest and best filled pods are generally produced from the third spike of flowers. At this stage thoroughly mulch between the rows with suitable material, and keep the roots well supplied with clear water and liquid manure, and by way of change give solutions of superphosphate loz to 2gal of water. In very hot, dry weather, spray the rows in early evening with clear,-tepid water. While the pods are quite young, before they commence to swell, they should be examined to see if they have set properly and that every pea is well formed and likely to swell. This can be easily ascertained by carefully holding the pods between one’s eyes and the light, as the young pods are quite transparent. All deformed and* unshapely pods should bo cut away with a sharp pair of scissors, leaving only those that are most promising, but never too many on a plant. Extrema care must always bo taken never to damage or rub the pods. All this may appear to be a large amount of trouble to take, but whatever is worth doing is worth doing well, and to be a successful grower you nv-*t be prepared to study every detail. Small and frequent sowings from early spring until the end of December should bo made when a constant supply is required. For the latter month first earlies only should be sown, such as Laxton’s Progress and Carter's Giant Stride, These two varieties are of recent introduction, and arc free bearing, handsome in appearance, and, above all, superior in quality. Whenever possible, cutting should be done either the night before or in the early morning of the day of exhiition. Cut each pod with as long a stalk as possible, and do not handle it in any way. Peas should always bo fresh, well filled, but without the least suggestion of age, the pods should carry a fine bloom, and, above all, the variety staged should combine good quality with fine appearance.