The Field and Garden Vegetables of America Part 99

Sown May 1, the plants blossomed June 15, and pods were plucked for use July 6.

The Prince Albert was, at one period, the most popular of all the early varieties, and was cultivated in almost every part of the United States.

As now found in the garden, the variety is not distinguishable from some forms of the Early Frame; and it is everywhere giving place to the Early Dan O'Rourke, Dillistone's Early, and other more recent and superior sorts.

QUEEN OF THE DWARFS. _Cot. Gard._

A very dwarfish variety, from six to nine inches high. Stem thick and succulent; foliage dark bluish-green. Each plant produces from four to six pods, which are of a curious, elliptic form, and contain three or four large peas. Ripe seed white, of medium size, egg-shaped, unevenly compressed.

The plants are tender; the pods do not fill freely; and the variety cannot be recommended for cultivation.

RINGWOOD MARROW.

Flanagan's Early. Early Ringwood. _Cot. Gard._ Beck's Gem.

Plant three and a half to four feet high, usually simple, but sometimes sending out shoots near the ground. The pods are single and in pairs; and, as they ripen, become thick and fleshy, with a rough, pitted, and shrivelled surface: they contain from six to seven large peas, which are nearly round, and about seven-tenths of an inch in diameter in the green state. The ripe seed is white.

The variety is comparatively early. If planted May 1, it will blossom about the 25th of June, and the pods will be ready to pluck about the 10th of July.

A very valuable sort, producing a large, well-filled pod, and is a most abundant bearer. It has, however, a peculiarity, which by many is considered an objection,--the pod is white, instead of green, and presents, when only full grown, the appearance of over-maturity. This objection is chiefly made by those who grow it for markets, and who find it difficult to convince their customers, that, notwithstanding the pod is white, it is still in its highest perfection. So far from being soon out of season, it retains its tender and marrowy character longer than many other varieties.

A new sort, called the "Lincoln Green," is said to possess all the excellences of the Ringwood Marrow, without the objectionable white pod.

ROYAL DWARF OR WHITE PRUSSIAN. _Cot. Gard._

Dwarf Prolific. Poor Man's Profit.

Plant of medium growth, with an erect stem, which is three feet high, generally simple, but occasionally branching. The pods are usually single, but sometimes in pairs, nearly three inches long, half an inch broad, almost straight, and somewhat tapering towards the point. The surface is quite smooth, and the color bright-green. They are generally well filled, and contain from five to six peas, which are ovate, not compressed, four-tenths of an inch long, a third of an inch broad, and the same in thickness. The ripe seed is white.

Plants from seed sown the 1st of May will blossom June 25, and supply the table about the middle of July. The crop will ripen the 25th of the same month.

This is an old and prolific variety, well adapted for field culture, and long a favorite in gardens, but now, to a great extent, superseded.

SEBASTOPOL.

Plant of rather slender habit, three feet and a half in height; pods usually single, two inches and three quarters in length, containing from five to seven peas, which, when ripe, are nearly round and smooth, cream-colored, and scarcely distinguishable, in their size, form, or color, from the Early Frame and kindred kinds.

If planted May 1, the variety will blossom June 16, afford pods of sufficient size for sh.e.l.ling about July 7, and ripen the 20th of the same month.

It is early, very productive, of superior quality, and an excellent sort for growing for market, or in small gardens for family use. In an experimental cultivation of the variety, it proved one of the most prolific of all the early sorts.

s.h.i.+LLINGS GROTTO. _Cot. Gard._

Plant with a simple stem, four feet and a half to five feet high; the pods are generally single, but frequently in pairs, three inches and a half long, about half an inch wide, slightly curved, and, when fully matured, a.s.suming a thick-backed and somewhat quadrangular form. Each pod contains, on an average, seven large peas. The ripe seed is white.

A great objection to this variety is the tardiness with which it fills; the pods being fully grown, and apparently filled, when the peas are quite small and only half grown. Though considered a standard sort, it is not superior to the Champion of England; and will probably soon give place to it, or some other of the more recent varieties.

SPANISH DWARF. _Cot. Gard._

Early Spanish Dwarf. Dwarf Fan. Strawberry.

Plant about a foot high, branching on each side in the manner of a fan; and hence often called the "Dwarf Fan." The pods are sometimes single, but generally in pairs, two inches and a half long, half an inch broad, terminate rather abruptly at the point, and contain from five to six rather large peas. The ripe seed is cream-white.

Sown May 1, the plants were in blossom June 26, and pods were plucked for use July 14.

The Spanish Dwarf is an old variety, and still maintains its position as an Early Dwarf for small gardens, though it can hardly be considered equal to Burbridge's Eclipse or Bishop's Long-podded.

There is a variety of this which is called the Improved Spanish Dwarf, and grows fully nine inches taller than the old variety; but it possesses no particular merit to recommend it.

TALL WHITE MARROW.

Large Carolina. Tall Marrowfat.

Plant six to seven feet in height, seldom branched; pods three to three inches and a half long, three-fourths of an inch broad, more bluntly pointed than those of the Dwarf variety, and containing six or seven peas. When ripe, the pea is nearly of the color of the Dwarf Marrow, but is more perfectly spherical, less wrinkled, and, when compared in bulk, has a smoother, harder, and more glossy appearance.

Planted May 1, the variety will blossom near the 1st of July, and will come to the table from the 15th to the 20th of the same month. It is a few days later than the Dwarf.

In this country, it has been longer cultivated than any other sort; and, in some of the forms of its very numerous sub-varieties, is now to be found in almost every garden. It is hardy, abundant, long-continued in its yield, and of excellent quality. In England, the variety is cultivated in single rows three feet apart. In this country, where the growth of the pea is much less luxuriant, it may be grown in double rows three feet and a half apart, and twelve inches between the single rows.

TAYLOR'S EARLY.

Similar in habit, production, and early maturity, to the Early Dan O'Rourke.

THURSTON'S RELIANCE. _Cot. Gard._

Plant strong and robust, six to seven feet high; pods generally single, but occasionally in pairs, and from three inches and a half to four inches and a quarter long. They are broad and flat, shaped like the pods of the Blue Cimeter, and contain seven or eight very large peas. Ripe seed white, large, and unevenly compressed.

This is a quite distinct and useful pea; an abundant bearer; and the pods are of a fine deep-green color, which is a recommendation for it when grown for market. It comes in at the same time as the Auvergne and s.h.i.+llings Grotto, but is of a more tender const.i.tution.

TOM THUMB.

Beck's Gem. Bush Pea. Pois nain hatif extra, of the French.

Plant of remarkably low growth, seldom much exceeding nine inches in height, stout and branching; pods single, rarely in pairs, two inches and a half in length, half an inch broad, containing five or six peas, which are cream-yellow, and measure about a fourth of an inch in diameter.

Planted the 1st of May, the variety blossomed the 12th of June, and the pods were of suitable size for plucking July 4.

In the color of its foliage, its height and general habit, the variety is very distinct, and readily distinguishable from all other kinds. It is early, of good quality, and, the height of the plant considered, yields abundantly. It may be cultivated in rows ten inches apart.

Mr. Landreth, of Philadelphia, remarks as follows: "For sowing at this season (November, in the Middle States), we recommend trial of a new variety, which we have designated 'Tom Thumb,' in allusion to its extreme dwarfness. It seldom rises over twelve inches, is an abundant bearer, and is, withal, quite early. It seems to be admirably adapted to autumn sowings in the South, where, on apprehended frost, protection may be given: it is also equally well suited to early spring planting for the same reason. It is curious, as well as useful; and, if planted on ground well enriched, will yield as much to a given quant.i.ty of land as any pea known to us."