Eugénie.
Plant about three feet in height, with pale-green foliage; pods single or in pairs, three inches long, containing five or six peas. When ripe, the peas are of medium size, cream-colored, and much shrivelled and indented.
Plants from sowings made May 1 were in blossom June 14, green pease were plucked July 10, and the pods ripened from the 18th to the 25th of the same month. English catalogues describe the variety as being "the earliest white, wrinkled marrow-pea in cultivation; podding from the bottom of the stalk to the top, with fine large pods." In a trial-growth, it proved hardy and very prolific; and the pease, while young, were nearly as sweet as those of the Champion of England. The pods were not remarkable for diameter; but, on the contrary, were apparently slender. The peas, however, were large; and, the pods being thin in texture, the pease, when shelled, seemed to be equal in diameter to the pods themselves. As a new variety, it certainly promises well, and appears to be worthy of general cultivation. It will come to the table immediately after the earliest sorts, and yield a supply till the Marrows are ready for plucking.
Fairbeard's Champion of England. Cot. Gard.
Champion of England.
Plant of strong and luxuriant habit of growth, with a stem from five to six feet in height, which is often undivided, but also frequently branching. The laterals are produced within about eighteen inches of the ground, and sometimes assume a vigorous growth, and attain as great a height as the main stem. They produce pods at the first joint above the lateral, and are continued at every succeeding joint to the greatest extremity of the plant. The pods are generally single, but frequently in pairs, about three inches and a half long, slightly curved, and terminate abruptly at the point; the surface is quite smooth, and the color light-green till maturity, when they become paler and shrivelled. They contain six or seven quite large peas, which are closely packed together and compressed. The ripe seed is wrinkled, and of a pale olive-green.
Sown the 1st of May, the plants were in flower June 25, and pods were gathered for use the 12th of July.
This variety was originated in England, by Mr. William Fairbeard, in 1843; and, with the Early Surprise, came out of the same pod,—the produce of a plant found in a crop of the Dwarf White Knight's Marrows, to which class it properly belongs. It is, without doubt, one of the most valuable acquisitions which have been obtained for many years; being remarkably tender and sugary, and, in all respects, of first-rate excellence. The rapid progress of its popularity, and its universal cultivation, are, however, the best indications of its superiority.
The variety was introduced into this country soon after it was originated, and was first sold at five dollars per quart.
Fairbeard's Nonpareil. Cot. Gard.