BURPEE’S EXTRA EARLY.--This is a remarkably early selection of
the well-known Philadelphia Early. It is the first variety to ripen,
ripens nearly all its pods at one time, and is very sweet and tender
when cooked; the vines grow about two feet in height, but can easily
be supported by driving stakes every few feet and confining the vines
with twine running from one stake to another.[7]
[Illustration: BURPEE’S EXTRA EARLY PEA.]
AMERICAN WONDER.--This little fellow is really a _wonder_, as it grows
only eight to ten inches in height and is literally covered with pods.
It is remarkably early, ripening in from thirty-five to forty days, and
in succulent sweetness cannot be surpassed.
[Illustration: AMERICAN WONDER PEAS.]
EXTRA EARLY PREMIUM GEM.--This variety is about ten days later than the
American Wonder, and grows from twelve to fourteen inches in height.
The peas are remarkably fine in quality, and I have planted it for
several years as my main variety.
PRIDE OF THE MARKET.--A new pea that I have grown the past two seasons,
and find of very superior merit. The price of the seed has been too
high to admit of extensive planting, but with these three dwarf kinds,
the only ones planted for the table this last season, I can say that I
have never been better supplied, or with finer peas. This variety grows
about a foot and a half in height and bears a very heavy crop of pods,
which latter and the peas that they contain are of unusual size and
substance.[8]
[Illustration: LAXTON’S EVOLUTION PEA.]
LAXTON’S EVOLUTION.--This variety is a novelty in the way of peas; in
the other varieties the object having been of late years to have the
pods all mature as nearly as possible at the same time; this object
has been sought for the benefit of the market gardeners, while in this
new variety we have a kind which will, from its everbearing habits,
be a great boon to the family gardener. The vines grow about three
feet high, and bear continuously, for a space of nearly three months,
an abundance of handsome, large pods, each of which contains eight to
ten wrinkled peas, the pods being borne in clusters of two, which
facilitates the picking. Like all wrinkled varieties, the quality of
this remarkable pea is most excellent.
CHAMPION OF ENGLAND.--This is a large growing late sort, and is very
productive, with peas of delicious flavor. The vines grow to four or
five feet in height, and this past summer I ate them in perfection
fully a month after the other varieties had disappeared from the
table.[9]
[Illustration:
COPYRIGHT,
1887, By W. ATLEE BURPEE.