CROPS OF PEAS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 138, 13 June 1931, Page 19 (Supplement)

CROPS OF PEAS

RULES FOR EARLY SOWINGS. Probably no vegetable is more esteemed nor more in demand during the early spring and throughout the whole summer than well-grown peas, and for this reason an early sowing of the most approved and best cropping early varieties is always worth the risk, as the longer their season of usefulness can be extended the greater will be the satisfaction of the grower. The pea is a more hardy subject than many imagine and will stand a fair frost without the foliage being injured. The warmer and better positions selected for the earliest sowings, however, the greater chance they have to Succeed. The ground for early sowing requires to be deeply worked and manured, so so that all surplus moisture is more readily disposed of. During the winter the roots naturally require all the warmth obtainable, and for this reason slightly raised soil, even for this crop, will produce more satisfactory results, more especially if the soil is at all of a retentive nature. Drills drawn an inch and a-half in depth are sufficient for early crops, and before sowing a good sprinkling of blood and bone, wood ashes, or lime, scattered along the drills will be beneficial. Sow a little more thickly than for later sowings, as there are more pests to contend with, and in every case cover the seed with good fine soil. As soon as the plants show above the soil, stretch strands of black cotton along each side of the rows to protect the, plants from birds. For slugs, the free use of lime or other preventives must be applied.