18 Stale Horticultural Society. 



and do our best by them, though I always find it impossible to stick to 

 that bit of advice. The few things I always try to have plenty of are 

 nasturtiums, sweet-peas and pansies. I start a few nasturtiums in a 

 little box, a cigar box does nicely ; put them in thick as they are so easily 

 transplanted and can be set out of doors as soon as frost is a thing of the 

 past; but for the "main crop," I plant about the first of April, in the gar- 

 den in good rich soil and cultivate just as beans. I read an article the 

 other day that advised planting them in poor soil as the trouble with 

 them they went too much to foliage. Don't you believe it. It is a fact 

 if the soil is poor the foliage will be also, and so will the flowers. I buy 

 an ounce of seed, plant two or three inches apart, that will make a long- 

 row. When they have grown to about four leaves, I commence taking 

 up every other one to give to my friends. By the time they have been 

 gone uvf'v once those left begin to crowd, so I go the rounds again. When 

 they are thin enough I wait till they are in bloom, then in giving cut 

 flowers away I advise changing the water every day or two and they will 

 grow and bloom beautifully for weeks on the dining table by putting in 

 the window between times where they can get the sun; and if you tire of 

 them set them out in the ground. 



I suppose you think, "Why do you get so many seed if you don't 

 need the _ half ?" Well, it is a satisfaction to give to your friends and 

 then there are some you pity because they say they have no luck, when 

 they should have said pluck. 



The last of March or first of April I sow my sweet peas. Drill 

 them along the furrow, not just stick one along every two or three inches, 

 but thick, like garden peas, in good soil, out in full sunshine. I have 

 better success with the rows running; north and south. I think it is 

 because the earth gets more air and sun. Have the rows far enough 

 apart so they can be cultivated with a plow. You can in that way just 

 revel in the sweet scented beauties, with a great deal less work than to 

 have a few sickly things in a mound where they do not belong. I have 

 a theory and intend to put it in practice this year at least. That is after 

 they are all turned nicely up the wires, I will give them a good hoeing, 

 plenty of water, then lay six inch boards along each side of the vines 

 leaving space between of only a few inches for the vines and to pour 

 water. There is so much tramping to admire and cut the flowers, the 



