The Field and Garden Vegetables of America Part 97

Once at the head of early pease: now considered by the most experienced cultivators to be identical with the Early Frame.

EARLY WAs.h.i.+NGTON.

Cedo nulli.

A sub-variety of the Early Frame; differing slightly, if at all, either in the size or form of the pod, color and size of the seed, or in productiveness.

Once popular, and almost universally cultivated: now rarely found on seedsmen's catalogues.

EUGeNIE.

Plant about three feet in height, with pale-green foliage; pods single or in pairs, three inches long, containing five or six peas. When ripe, the peas are of medium size, cream-colored, and much shrivelled and indented.

Plants from sowings made May 1 were in blossom June 14, green pease were plucked July 10, and the pods ripened from the 18th to the 25th of the same month. English catalogues describe the variety as being "the earliest white, wrinkled marrow-pea in cultivation; podding from the bottom of the stalk to the top, with fine large pods." In a trial-growth, it proved hardy and very prolific; and the pease, while young, were nearly as sweet as those of the Champion of England. The pods were not remarkable for diameter; but, on the contrary, were apparently slender. The peas, however, were large; and, the pods being thin in texture, the pease, when sh.e.l.led, seemed to be equal in diameter to the pods themselves. As a new variety, it certainly promises well, and appears to be worthy of general cultivation. It will come to the table immediately after the earliest sorts, and yield a supply till the Marrows are ready for plucking.

FAIRBEARD'S CHAMPION OF ENGLAND. _Cot. Gard._

Champion of England.

Plant of strong and luxuriant habit of growth, with a stem from five to six feet in height, which is often undivided, but also frequently branching. The laterals are produced within about eighteen inches of the ground, and sometimes a.s.sume a vigorous growth, and attain as great a height as the main stem. They produce pods at the first joint above the lateral, and are continued at every succeeding joint to the greatest extremity of the plant. The pods are generally single, but frequently in pairs, about three inches and a half long, slightly curved, and terminate abruptly at the point; the surface is quite smooth, and the color light-green till maturity, when they become paler and shrivelled.

They contain six or seven quite large peas, which are closely packed together and compressed. The ripe seed is wrinkled, and of a pale olive-green.

Sown the 1st of May, the plants were in flower June 25, and pods were gathered for use the 12th of July.

This variety was originated in England, by Mr. William Fairbeard, in 1843; and, with the Early Surprise, came out of the same pod,--the produce of a plant found in a crop of the Dwarf White Knight's Marrows, to which cla.s.s it properly belongs. It is, without doubt, one of the most valuable acquisitions which have been obtained for many years; being remarkably tender and sugary, and, in all respects, of first-rate excellence. The rapid progress of its popularity, and its universal cultivation, are, however, the best indications of its superiority.

The variety was introduced into this country soon after it was originated, and was first sold at five dollars per quart.

FAIRBEARD'S NONPAREIL. _Cot. Gard._

Stem branching, three and a half to four feet high, with a habit of growth and vigor similar to the Early Frames. The pods are full and plump, but do not become thick-backed and fleshy as they ripen, like those of the Frames. They contain from six to eight peas, which are close together, much compressed, and of that sweet flavor which is peculiar to the Knight's Marrows. The ripe seed is small and wrinkled, and of the same color as the other white, wrinkled pease.

The variety was originated by Mr. William Fairbeard, who also raised the Champion of England. It is earlier than the last-named sort, nearly as early as the Frames, and a most valuable acquisition.

FAIRBEARD'S SURPRISE. _Cot. Gard._

Early Surprise. Surprise.

The plant of this variety is of a free but not robust habit of growth, and always with a simple stem, which is about four feet high. The pods are produced at every joint, beginning at about two feet and a half from the ground. They are generally single, but sometimes in pairs, three inches long, slightly curved, but not quite so much as those of the Champion of England. They contain from six to seven peas, which are of good size, but not so sweet as those of the last-named sort. The ripe seed is somewhat oval, and of a pale, olive-green color.

The variety is a day or two earlier than the Champion of England. It originated from the Dwarf White Knight's Marrow, and was taken from the pod in which was found the Champion of England.

FLACK'S IMPERIAL. _Cot. Gard._

Flack's Victory. Flack's Victoria. Flack's New Large Victoria.

The plant is of a robust habit of growth, with a stem which is always branching, and generally about three feet in height; the pods are numerous, varying from twelve to eighteen on a plant, generally produced in pairs, but often singly, three inches and a half long, three-fourths of an inch broad, and considerably curved,--terminating abruptly at the point, where they are somewhat broader than at any other part. Each pod contains from six to eight very large peas, which are of an ovate shape, half an inch long, seven-twentieths of an inch broad, and the same in thickness. The ripe seed is blue.

Plants from seed sown May 1 will blossom June 28, and supply the table July 15.

It is one of the most prolific peas in cultivation; grows to a convenient height; and, whether considered for private gardens or for market supplies, is one of the most valuable varieties which has been introduced for years.

GENERAL WYNDHAM. _Cot. Gard._

The plant is of a robust habit, six to seven feet high, and frequently branched; the foliage is dark-green and blotched; the pods are either single or in pairs, and number from ten to fourteen on each plant,--they contain eight very large peas, which are of the deep, dull-green color of the Early Green Marrow. The ripe seed is white and olive mixed.

This is a valuable acquisition, and was evidently procured from the Ne Plus Ultra; but it is a more robust grower, and produces much larger pods.

The plant continues growing, blooming, and podding till very late in the season; and, when this is in the full vigor of growth, the Ne Plus Ultra is ripening off. The pease, when cooked, are of a fine, bright-green color, and unlike those of any other variety.

HAIR'S DWARF MAMMOTH.

Plant strong and vigorous, from three to three feet and a half high, branching, with short joints; pods single or in pairs, broad, comparatively flat, containing about six very large peas, which are sugary, tender, and excellent. The ripe seeds are shrivelled, and vary in color; some being cream-white, and others bluish-green.

Sown May 1, the plants will blossom July 1, and the pods will be ready for use the 15th of the same month.

Very prolific, and deserving of cultivation.

HARRISON'S GLORY. _Trans._

Plant three feet high, of a bushy, robust habit of growth; pods rather short, nearly straight, and flattish, containing five or six medium-sized peas, of good quality: when ripe, the seeds are light-olive, mixed with white, and also slightly indented.

If planted May 1, the variety will flower June 23, and the pods will be fit for gathering about the 10th of July.

A good variety; but, like Harrison's Glory, the pods are frequently not well filled.

HARRISON'S PERFECTION. _Trans._

Plant three feet in height, of vigorous habit; pods small, straight, containing five peas of good size and quality.

Sown the 1st of May, the variety will flower June 23, and the pods will be fit for plucking about the 12th of July.

The only defect in this variety is, that the pods are often not well filled. When growing, it is scarcely distinguishable from Harrison's Glory; but, in the mature state, the seeds of the former are smooth and white, while those of the latter are indented, and of an olive-color.

KING OF THE MARROWS.

Plant six feet in height, stocky, and of remarkably vigorous habit; pods single or in pairs, containing five or six large seeds, which, when ripe, are yellowish-green, and much shrivelled and indented, like those of the Champion of England.