Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-04-19
The Oregon Pea.

lie relative to the oregon Hea, since Nnicn
me we have received a large number of let
ers, inquiring where they can be procured,
be time and manner of cultivation, &C., &c.
that they were attracting SO much
t~tention, and being anxious to communicate
ii the information we could obtain, we ad-
a Note to EyERARD HALL, Esq, of
his county, (whom we knew raised some
asst year, who has politely furnished us with
he following information, which we COM
mend to all interested:
A. N. GoRMAN, Esq.-Dear Sir: I have just re-
,eived your very polite note, desiring some informa-
ton concerning the merits, culture, &C., of the
Oregon Pea; :" and in reply I will take occasion to
that my experience on the subject is rather linn
tied, though | will most ch~eerfully render such par
tieulars as a partial trial of these Peas may have put
me in possession of; l am glad to learn from you
.thatthey are beginning to attract attention among our
Farmers. l procured some seed from Tennessee
last Summer, but too late to give them a fair trial,
but saved only a few Peas, owing to the early frost
The vines, however, were luxuriant and beautiful,
greatly surprising any thing of the kind l ever had
seen, and but for the frost overtaking them, doubt
less would have yielded very abundantly. They
were planted in a tolerably rich sandy soil, in checks
3 feet each way, with about FIVE in a hill, cultivated
like corn, though requiring much less work, as they
grew so fast they were soon out of they way. The
vines were about five feet high and so thick, l am
inclined to think that q half grown boy might easily
have been lost among them, if the patch had been
much larger. Hence, it must follow, that as a crop
to be turned under" or for purposes of Hay-mak-
ing, this Pea will be a most valuable acquisition to
the judiciOus farmer, and unless l am much mista-
ken, is destined to become a great favorite with alt
of us.
As for its qualities as a Stock Pea, 1 am not 50
well prepared to speak from my own knowledge as
I made too few to experiment with. Poultry, know
are extremely fond of them, and 1 can see no rea-
son why they should not be equally fine for hogs
1t is true the Peas are small, but their yield is so
abundant, l should think they might be advantage
ously used for Hogs-for Rye is also a small grain
but it is nevertheless known to be fine for hogs
Some idea may be formed of the immense yield of
these Peas, when | state the simple fact, that a far
mer of this County Ia man of veracity) informed
me, that from one single Pea, he obtained the first
year no less than $500 Peas three thousand five
hundredl and he raised enough the second year to
have stocked his whole plantation.
They are also said to be good for the "Table"-
their coloris a pale green and l should think would
make a very nice looking dish.
From my experience, l would ay-when q full
crop of Peas is I'd desired, they should be planted in a
light, but ~middling poor soil, about the first of Nay
-as on rich ~landthey are apt to go all to vines and
fall down, from their own weight.
Last, though not least, they possess another great
advantage over all other Peas-their leaves do not
crumble and fall off, either before or after being
cut and this is no small recommendation, for it is
too well known that our common corn-feld Peas
p are rendered almost useless for hay, on account Of
their leaves falling off, so much so that instead of
, giving your COW a bundle of good hay in winter, it
r turns out to be little else than a bundle of sticks
Not SO with these Oregon Peas however.
In answer to your other inquiries, as to where the
Peas can be obtained-price, &C., I will state that
! seed can be had at the Agricultural Implement Store
: of JAMES d. TowLEs, Raleigh, price one dollar per
t pint; also | believe, at our Drug Stores. Hoping I
have given you all the information desired,
1 remain your obedient servant,
EVERARD HALL.
Wake county, April, 1854.
In addition to the above, a gentleman of
. our acquaintance planted last year one dol
lars worth (about a pint) and he has sold
IL this season near tUo hundred dollars north
9 the yield of his pint, besides reserving enough
i seed for planting a large crop this year.
> CANADA CoRN.-A gentleman who has tri.
: ed this Prolific Corn, assures us, that its yield
" is truly astonishing. Each grain produces
y from three to eight stalks, and each stalk two
or three ears nor IS the grain snrIveIleu anc
=" dry, but a beautiful, full, well-shaped, smooth
white corn. He planted nine grains las
year, and they produced fifty eight good ears
= there were Sc silks, but the drought prevent
ed some from maturing. This Corn may b
had of Anthony Davis, Pink Hill p. O., LIE
noir county, N. c.. For one dollar he vii
send 100 grains, post paid. Also for sale b.
- Williams & Haywood, Raleigh.
e CUcUMBERs.-A Lady friend gives us til
!, following information, acquired by acciden
~ in the cultivation of this vegetable, so indis
. pensable in every kitchen garden:
10 Mr.. GoRMAN Having noticed that i
your varied and interesting paper you some
OF times give US valuable horticultural infol
IL matjan uGRPn4t efuTh Gifbtrs renfcacy. especiaII
on an article relative to protecting plants fror
the cold and frost, | / have thought the follow
ne ing might prove valuable to some of YOU
in readers.
or Two years ago | had q stupid old man a
work in my garden, and in preparing m
Cucumber beds l told him to tighten the sol
rs by using freely the ashes that had bee
thrown from the hopper. Going into th
lid garden next day, | found, instead of dom
as he had been directed, he had dug drill
and filed them with dry, unLeached ashes
III and in them he had planted my Cucumbers
fy- l was not a little annoyed at the stupidity q
ct. my gardner and determined upon having tn
drills torn up but he insisted that twas tn
best way to raise Cucumbers, that the bug
Ler and insects would not disturb the plants. &c
'hU so / thought | would let them remain an
lr plant others after my own mode. The seed
came up " thick as hops" to use a commo
phrase, and | felt more and more provoked
l still determined to let them remain. and. I
make a long story short, such Cucumbers a
lr- were produced from that bed [ had neye
re- seen the like before. The vines were ur
,er touched by insects, they became so thick an
matted that the sun seemed powerless !
scorchfng and killing them as asaaI, an
IL. they yielded fruit in the greatest ~profusio
MT, until the frosts of Autumn came. Sine
then plant Cucumbers no other way. thai
in the drill or bed, placing the seed in dry
79V unleached ashes.
in If this scrap of accidental experiments
see knowledge is of any service, you are at lit
or erty to use it. J.
his We would be obliged to our friends fo
for brief articles on Horticulture or Agriculture
IN. for insertion in our columns.
MA A friand ur;foS ~