A ten-inch pot will accommodate about eight seeds, and these should be planted one and a half inches deep.  When a few inches high insert a few bushy stakes to carry the plants.  A compost consisting of two parts loam, one part leaf-soil or well-decayed manure, with a small quantity of wood ashes, will suit Peas admirably.  At no time is a forcing temperature needed.  From 50 deg. to 55 deg. at night, with a rise of about 10 deg. by day will suffice, and free ventilation must be given whenever possible with safety.  Apply water carefully, but never allow the roots to become dust-dry.

==Peas for Exhibition.==—­On the exhibition table handsome well-grown Peas always elicit unstinted admiration, and the magnificent pods of the newer varieties are certainly worthy of the utmost praise bestowed upon them.  In all cases where vegetables are grown for competition at Shows the amount of success achieved depends largely on the intensity of the cultivation adopted, and in this respect no other subject will respond more readily to liberal treatment than will the Garden Pea.  Deep digging, generous manuring, and copious watering during dry weather, in the manner already described, are fundamental essentials.  Another matter of no less importance is the selection of suitable varieties.  It is now the general custom to start the early sorts in pots or boxes under glass (see page 104), and some growers treat mid-season Peas in the same manner.  Of this system it may be said that it offers the fullest opportunity of giving attention to the young plants and allows of the strongest specimens being selected for transfer to open quarters.  The number of sowings will, of course, depend on individual requirements.  At the time of transplanting give each plant plenty of space for development, and it will be well to stake the rows immediately.  Keep the plants under constant observation, especially while quite young, when they are liable to destruction by garden foes.  The flowering should be limited to the fourth spike, and from the time the pods appear assistance must be given in the form of liquid manure or a mulching of well-rotted dung.  Remove all lateral shoots and promote vigorous healthy growth at every stage.  Some means should be adopted to prevent injury of any kind to the pods, which when gathered should be well filled, carrying a fine bloom free from blemish.

==Potato==

==Solarium tuberosum==

The potato has been designated the ‘King of the Kitchen Garden,’ and perhaps ‘the noble tuber’ should be so regarded.  Of its importance as an article of food it is impossible to speak too highly, and the dietetic value of the Potato appears to be always advancing.  The known deficiency of flesh-forming constituents naturally associates this vegetable with meat of various kinds, poultry, game and fish, and in this proper association the root is probably capable of superseding all other vegetable foods, bread alone excepted.  It is far from our intention to recommend abstention from Asparagus, Cauliflower, Peas, and Sea Kale, and to regard Potatoes as a sufficient substitute for these and other table delicacies; but it is well to remember that by virtue of its starchy compounds the Potato has a direct tendency to promote health and that freshness of complexion that generally prevails among well-fed people.