e
Lima would uniformly fail. As a shelled-bean, green or dry, it must be
classed as one of the best, and is recommended for cultivation.

MOTTLED SIEVA.

A sub-variety of the Common Sieva; the principal if not the only mark of
distinction being in the variegated character of the seeds, which are
dull-white, spotted and streaked with purple.

It is sometimes described as being earlier than the Common variety; but,
from various experiments in the cultivation of both varieties, there
appears to be little if any difference in their seasons of maturity. The
color and form of the flower are the same as the Sieva; the pods are of
the same size and shape; and the leaves have the same elongated form,
and smooth, glossy appearance.

* * * * *

CHICK-PEA.

Egyptian Pea. Cicer arietinum.

The Chick-pea is a hardy, annual plant, originally from the south of
Europe, but also indigenous to the north of Africa and some parts of
Asia. The stem is two or three feet high, erect and branching; the
leaves are pinnate, with from six to nine pairs of oval, grayish,
toothed leaflets; the flowers resemble those of the Common Pea, and are
produced on long peduncles, generally singly, but sometimes in pairs;
the pods are about an inch long, three-fourths of an inch broad,
somewhat rhomboidal, hairy, inflated or bladder-like, and contain two or
three globular, wrinkled, pea-like seeds.

_Sowing and Cultivation._--The seed should be sown in April, in the
manner of the Garden-pea; making the drills about three feet apart, an
inch and a half deep, and dropping the seeds two inches asunder in the
drills. All the culture required is simply to keep the ground between
the rows free from weeds. The crop should be harvested before the
complete maturity of the seeds.

_Use._--"The Pease, though not very digestible, are largely employed in
soups, and form the basis of the _puree aux croutons_, or bread and pea
soup, so highly esteemed in Paris." They are also extensively used,
roasted and ground, as a substitute for coffee.

There are three varieties, as follow:--

RED CHICK-PEA.

A variety with rose-colored flowers, and red or brownish-red seeds.

WHITE CHICK-PEA.

Both the flowers and seeds white; plant similar to those of the other
varieties.

YELLOW CHICK-PEA.

This variety has white blossoms and yellow seeds. The plant, in height,
foliage, or general habit, differs little from the White or the