EARLY PEAS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 August 1938, Page 4

EARLY PEAS

TALL OR DWARF VARIETIES.

There are points both in favour and against the growing of the dwarf varieties of first early peas, instead of the taller varieties. In the majority of cases, their merits are more than sufficient to outweigh the fact that the taller varieties will produce the heavier crop. The taller varieties are especially suitable for early cropping where a warm sheltered place is available and economy of space is not a first consideration, for the rows must be far enough apart to avoid shading each other. It should not be imagined, however, |hat the cropping powers of the dwarfs are negligible. During the last few years, raisers have concentrated on improving the yield and quality of these varieties. First-class kinds will now produce a number of pods, which in ratio to their bulk of growth, is quite remarkable. The high quality of the peas is great enough to satisfy the most critical palate. The last remark applies particularly to the marrowfat section. The early round seeded kinds can certainly be sown a few weeks earlier, and are also less likely to succumb to a late frost, but the few days that are gained by sowing them are hardly compensation for the lack of flavour and crop. Quality is, as a rule, the first consideration in small gardens, and on this score there is really no comparison between the types.

Just when a start can be made with outdoor sowings is a point which must be determined after experience of the prevailing weather, the state of the soil, and the amount of shelter which can be afforded as soon as the plants are through the soil. On light sandy soils sowing can be undertaken very early, but on soils that are inclined to be sticky it is wise to defer sowing until conditions are more favourable. Without free drainage, the plants are more likely to succumb. Staking is not essential with the dwarfs with a view to supporting the growth, but it is certainly an aid and well worth while if the site is freely exposed. The seeds may be rolled in a mixture of red lead and kerosene if mice are likely to be troublesome, and should be sown in drills made six inches in width. It is never a good plan to sow peas thickly in a V-shaped drill. Not only is the risk of injuring the constitution of the plants through overcrowding increased, but a heavy mortality may occur among the clustered seeds during the germination period. As soon as the seedlings are well through the soil they should be lightly dusted with old soot. It would be a mistake to smother the plants, as this only results in choking the pores of the leaves, but some measure of protection is always advisable. For very early crops the plants need not be severely thinned. If the plants are left standing three or four inches apart each way, they will be quite a few days earlier than if thinned to six inches. It is not necessary, however, to hasten the formation of pods by pinching out the tips of leading growths, as is sometimes done with the taller varieties. are deep rooting subjects and a dry spell in spring will have a disastrous effect on plants unable to penetrate the soil for more than a few inches; therefore the soil should be deeply dug.