Sweet Peas. 225 



strong and apparently normal in everyway except in its diminished 

 size. In 1895, Morse & Co. grew seven acres of this Cupid, and 

 all the plants came true to seed. We have not grown the plant, 

 but Burpee pulled up two entire full-grown plants and sent them to 

 us last year. One of them measured seven inches high, and the 

 other eight inches. The flowers were of medium size, pure white, 

 and of good form. 



It is difficult to construct any classification of the varieties of 

 sweet peas. The best scheme for jDopular use is thought to be one 

 founded on the color of the flowers. Yet there are various well- 

 marked types of form in the sweet pea flower, which should be 

 recognized in classifying them. The old-time type has a broad 

 plane standard, as in Apple Blossom (Fig. 80), and Countess of 

 Radnor (Fig. 72). In many of the recent varieties, the standard 

 is variously curled or rolled. One of the best of these newer forms 

 is that in which the standard is inrolled or hooded. This is shown 

 to perfection in the dainty and exquisite Butterfly (Fig. 82, best 

 seen in the central flower and in the uppermost flower at the right), 

 An opposite form of standard is the reversed or revolute, well shown 

 in Imperial Blue (Fig. 83). The form of the flower also varies 

 when seen sidewise. Consider Fig. 79. The upper flowers are 

 Alba Magnifica, in which the standard and wings stand nearly at 

 right angles to each other, and, therefore, present a want of connec- 

 tion and homogeneity which is displeasing to many persons. In the 

 lower spray, which is Emily Henderson, this fault does not exist, 

 and the flowers present a more united and shapely effect. 



A Seedman's Account. 



The reader will be interested to know something of the meth- 

 ods and trials of seed-growers in growing and breeding varieties. 

 The follow^ing account is written by Mr. Waldo Eohnert, one of 

 my former students, who is associated with C. C. Moore & Co., of 

 California: 



" Eight or nine years ago the sweet pea was little known as a 

 garden flower. It then had little merit to attract public atten- 

 tion. At that time, Mr. Eckford had done considerable work 

 and his efforts and perseverance were becoming apparent. From, 

 the ordinary type and colors he has improved the flower to its 



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