Pisum sativum.

"The Pea is a hardy annual, a native of the south of Europe, and cultivated from time immemorial.

"There is an immense variety, from which the following have been selected as among the best, and more than sufficient for any garden; some inferior kinds are still cultivated, apparently from want of knowledge.

"Landreth's Extra Early; this has been introduced more than twenty years, and- to the present maintains its superiority over all others, as an early variety; it is unquestionably the earliest, and a general favourite.

"The Early Frame succeeds Landreth's Extra Early, and is followed by the Early Charlton, or Golden Hotspur, as it is likewise called.

"The Large White Marrow, Peruvian Black Eye do., Royal Dwarf do., and Blue Imperial, ripen nearly together; each has its admirers. The imperial is quite dwarf and may do without rods; many prefer it to all others.

"The Blue Prussian is an old sort, generally liked, and a good bearer.

"Bishop's Early Dwarf continues longer than most others in bearing, and its habit being so dwarf, as not to require rods, is well suited to many gardens.

"Sugar or Eat Pods, generally boiled both pod and peas, and eaten in the manner of Kidney Beans.

"The Pea thrives best in a rich loamy soil, but will, with proper care, produce tolerable crops in almost any. The early varieties require stronger ground than the Marrowfats and Imperial, but in manuring for them, observe to use none but such as is thoroughly decomposed, excluding all that possesses the least fermentation.

"It has been found that frequent sowings of peas in the same ground is injurious; the plants not unusually turn yellow, and partially die before perfecting fruit. This remark is particularly applicable to the early kinds.

"The first crops should be sown in the spring, so soon as the ground will admit of being worked, choosing the driest soil, and such as lays well exposed to the sun.

"To have a constant succession, a few should be planted every fortnight or oftener. At the time the last sowing of early ones is made, sow also some of the later varieties, which will come in as the early ones go out of bearing.

"The usual method of cultivation, is to sow the seed in drills, as directed for the Kidney Beans, only thicker in the drills. As the plants rise from half an inch high to two or three inches, begin to draw earth to the stems, doing this when the ground is in a dry state, and earthing gradually higher, as the stems ascend; at the same time loosen the ground between the young plants, and cut down rising weeds. Stick the plants when six to twelve inches high, as soon as they begin to vine. The early varieties require sticks or rods two to three feet high; the Imperial and Royal Dwarf Marrowfat two feet, Large Marrowfat five feet.'; - Rur. Reg.

To force Peas: - Forcing commences in December, in the early part of which month they may be sown in a hot-bed to remain, or thick to transplant, during the succeeding month, into others for production. These may be repeated in January, and the transplanting takes place in February. It is also a common practice to sow in a warm border during October, and the plants being cultivated as a natural ground crop, are removed into a hot-bed in a succeeding month.

The hot-bed must be moderate, and earthed equally over to a depth of six or eight inches, with light fresh mould not particularly rich. The seed must be buried one inch and a half deep. The frame, which is required to be two feet and a half high behind, and one and a half in front, ought to be put on three or four days before the crop is inserted, that the steam and heat may abate. Seed may likewise be sown at the above times in pots or pans, and placed round the bins of the stove. At the close of September also, some peas may be sown in pots and sunk in the earth of any open compartment; when the frost commences, to be removed into the green-house. A border of fresh earth being made in the front of it early in December, the plants are removed into it, in rows two feet asunder, or still better in pairs, with ten inches interval, and two feet and a half between each pair. These will come into production about the middle of March.

In every instance, as stated above, the rows should be two feet, the seed or plants being set an inch asunder. The plants are ready for moving when an inch or two high. They must be shaded and gently watered until they have taken root. As much earth should be preserved about their roots at the time of removal as possible.

Transplanted peas are most productive, and run the least to straw in the forcing frames. Air must be admitted as freely as possible under contingent circumstances, the same precautions being necessary as for cucumbers. Water must be given at first sparingly, otherwise decay or super-luxuriance will be occasioned; but when they are in blossom, and during the succeeding stages of growth, it may be applied of-tener and more abundantly, as it is necessary for the setting and swelling of the fruit.

The shading during hot days, and covering at night, must also be particularly attended to. From three to five months elapse between the times of sowing and production, according to the fineness of the season, length of the days, etc.

The temperature may be uniformly kept up throughout their growth, having 50° for the minimum, and 70° for the maximum.

In Pots

Mr. N. Wilson, gardener, of Gopsall, cultivates them in this manner: -

"The peas are to be ready for transplanting by the 1st of February, so that the same sowing does for the first out of doors, as well as for those. The seedlings are removed from the boxes or pots, where they have been thickly sown, when about four inches in height, and are planted thinly into large pots (twelves) which have been filled with good soil, not too rich. They are staked with moderately strong willows, and run round at distances of six inches with small twine, which has a neater appearance and does not shade so much as common pea sticks. The situation quite suitable is the back walls of the late vineries.

"The pots so filled and staked, are placed on the top of the back flues, elevated to the glass as near as the stakes will permit, where they are to remain till the crop is gathered, which will be from the 1st to the loth of May. The peas are kept from the frost and severe weather, and have always plenty of air, when the weather is fine.

"They are watered rather sparingly at first, but plentifully as they advance into bloom. Peas in pits and frames will not bear forcing till they are out of bloom, and the pod set, then they will bear it, and be forwarded admirably. They cannot be had in the autumn on the same principle after the 20th of November." - Gard. Chron.