==The enemies Of Peas== are fewer in number than might be expected in the case of so nutritive a plant.  Against the weevil, the moth, and the fly, we are comparatively powerless, and perhaps the safest course is occasionally to dust the plants with lime or soot, in which case the work must be carefully done, or the leaf growth will be checked, to the injury of the crop.  Light dustings will suffice to render the plant unpalatable without interfering with its health, but a heavy careless hand will do more harm than all the insects by loading the leafage with obnoxious matter.  The great enemy of the Pea crop is the sparrow, whose depredations begin with the appearance of the plant, and are renewed from the moment when the pods contain something worth having.  Other small birds haunt the ground, but the sparrow is the leader of the gang.  Ordinary frighteners used in the ordinary way are of little use; the best are lines, to which at intervals white feathers, or strips of white paper, or pieces of bright tin are attached.  In the seedling stage the plants may be protected by wire guards, and even strands of black thread tied to short stakes will prove serviceable.  We have found the surest way to guard the crop against feathered plunderers is to have work in hand on the plot, so as to keep up a constant bustle, and this shows the wisdom of putting the rows at such a distance as will allow the formation of Celery trenches between them.  We want a crop to come off, and another to be put on while the Peas are in bearing; and early Potatoes, to be followed by Celery, may be suggested as a rotation suitable in many instances.  Even then the birds will have a good time of it in the morning, unless the workmen are on the ground early.  However, on this delicate point, the ‘early bird’ that carries a spade will have an advantage, because the sparrow is really a late riser, and does not begin business until other birds have had breakfast, and have finished at least one musical performance.

==Early Peas under Glass.==—­So greatly esteemed are Peas at table that in many establishments the demand for them is not limited to supplies obtainable from the open ground.  Sowings may be made from mid-November to mid-February, according to requirements and the extent of accommodation available, from which the crops may be expected to mature from mid-March onwards.  Where a large glass-house, such as is used for Tomatoes, &c., is at command, early Peas may be grown without prejudice to other crops.  Assuming that a good depth of soil exists, thoroughly trench and prepare it as for outdoor Peas.  Select a tall-growing variety, of which there are a number that do well under glass.  Sow in a triple row, placing the seeds about three inches apart each way, and in due course support the plants with stakes.  A cool greenhouse or a frame will also carry through an early crop of Peas, but for these structures pots should be used and only dwarf-growing varieties sown.