Excelsior. Paradise Marrow. Stuart's Paradise.
Plant of vigorous growth, with a simple stem five to six feet high, rarely branched, producing from eight to ten pods. These last are generally single, but sometimes in pairs, from three inches and a quarter to three inches and three-quarters long, and five-eighths of an inch wide. They are curved almost as much as those of the Cimeter; and, when near maturity, become quite fleshy, wrinkled, and thick-backed. They contain from six to seven large peas, which are close together without being compressed. The ripe seed is white, medium-sized, somewhat flattened and pitted. If sown May 1, the plants will blossom June 28, and the pods will be ready for plucking July 16.
This is a very excellent pea, an abundant cropper, and considerably earlier than the Auvergne and Shillings Grotto; to both of which it is also greatly superior.
Climax. Trans.
Napoléon.
Plant three feet and a half high, of robust habit; pods single or in pairs, three inches long, containing five or six peas; when ripe, these are of medium size, pale-blue or olive, sometimes yellowish, shaded with blue, and, like the Eugénie, much wrinkled and indented.
If sown the beginning of May, the variety will blossom about the 15th of June, pods may be plucked for use the 10th of July, and the crop will ripen the 25th of the same month.
English catalogues represent the Napoléon as being "the earliest blue pea in cultivation, podding from the bottom of the haum to the top, with fine large pods." In a trial growth, it proved early and productive; not only forming a great number of pods, but well filling the pods after being formed. In quality it is tender, very sweet and well flavored, resembling the Champion of England. Its season is nearly the same with that of the Eugénie, and the variety is well deserving of cultivation.
Mr. Harrison, the originator of the Eugénie and Napoléon, states that both of the peas were originally taken from one pod.
Dantzic. Law.