Field pea (Pisum sativum) /

FIELD PEA (Pisum sativum).The field pea was early introduced from Europe, where it has been cultivated from remote times.Its preference for a cool climate limits its cultivation as a summer crop to the northern part of the United States or to high mountain valleys which on account of their elevation possess a cool atmosphere even during the summer months.It can be grown in warm parts of the United States, especially southern California, as a winter legume.Trials made in southern Texas warrant a more extended use of it in this way.This preference for a cool climate has confined the field-pea industry on this continent very largely to Canada and given rise to the name "Canada field pea" or "Canadian pea."The field pea is a close relative of the common garden pea, several varieties being used interchangeably as garden and field crops.The main point of difference in the two classes is the wrinkled character of the garden-pea seed, indicating a higher sugar content than the field pea.The field pea is so well known that little description is necessary.It is an annual leguminous vining plant, having both dwarf and tall varieties, which range from 18 inches to 10 feet in height.Most of the varieties have white flowers, but there are many having colored (red or pink) flowers.VARIETIES.Numerous varieties of the field pea are being grown in the United States and Canada, among which the Golden Vine, French June, Marrowfat, Prussian Blue, Blackeye Marrowfat, Early Britain, and Canadian Beauty are perhaps the most common, although the Potter, Concordia, Chancellor, Daniel O'Rourke, Wisconsin Blue, Mc-Kay, and Paragon are grown to a considerable extent.The Bluebell is a blue-seeded variety resembling the Prussian Blue.It is grown locally on the Pacific coast of Washington and Oregon and is best suited to humid climates._ Among the new introductions the Kaiser is a general-purpose pea, making good yields of both seed and forage over an extended area.In the pea-growing districts of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho the Bangalia, an early variety, and the Amraoti, a medium-early variety, are recommended on account of their good seed-producing qualities, and for the locali- ties where a small pea that will serve both as a table pea and for stock purposes is wanted the Khaba is worth a trial.Golden Vine .-The Golden Vine is perhaps the most widely grown variety of field pea in the United States.It is a medium-early pea, having a white bloom and small white seeds, and makes good yields of both forage and seed.French June .-This variety is often mistaken for the Golden Vine, but it is two weeks earlier in maturing and has a somewhat smaller vine.In all other characters it is similar to the Golden Vine.This is one of the best of the early varieties.Marrowfat.-Thisname has been loosely applied to a group of large white-seeded varieties rather than to any definite variety.This group has white blooms and is medium to late, maturing about a week later than the Golden Vine and making large quantities of forage with fair yields of seed.Canadian Beauty .-An early variety of the Marrowfat type, maturing at about the same time as the Golden Vine.It makes a large growth of vine and fair yields of seed.Blackeye Marrowfat .-The seeds of the Blackeye Marrowfat are similar in appear- ance to the regular Marrowfat except for the black hilum.This variety matures a trifle earlier than the Marrowfat and about five days later than the Golden Vine.75252°-15