January 25, 1919 



'I n i?t i c i 



tit i: 



77 



GROWING SWEET PEAS IN TUBS 



Few plants are more beautiful when grown in tubs or 

 large vases than the modem or Spencer type of sweet 

 peas and though one occasionally sees them grown in 

 this way for exhibition they might with advantage he 

 much nunc largely used. As will be seen from the ac- 

 companying illustration they make strong vines and 

 flower as freely, when grown in this way. as those 

 planted in the open ground. I have found that tubs 

 twenty-two inches across at the to|> and the same in 

 depth answer admirably if several holes are bored in 

 the bottom to ensure good drainage, hut any tubs of good 

 size will answer provided they are strong and clean. 

 Adequate drainage composed of broken crocks should be 

 placed in the bottom of the tuh and over this a layer of 

 turfy loam or leaves to prevent the soil passing through, 

 and on top of this about three or four inches of well 

 decayed manure. This will he fully appreciated by the 

 plants when they have made a good growth and the tuh 

 is becoming well filled with roots. The tub can then he 

 filled with good soil to within three inches of the top 

 which will provide good space for watering. The 

 Spencer type of sweet peas are most satisfactory when 

 germinated in pots under glass, about five seeds in a 

 four inch pot, hut if this is not possible the seeds can 

 lie sown in the tub and the same treatment given as 

 advised for those raised in a greenhouse. The middle of 

 March is a. good time to sow under glass and as soon as 

 the young plants are three inches above the soil the 

 points should he carefully pinched out which will en- 

 courage them to make strong breaks from the base. At 

 this time they should receive all the fresh air possible 

 when the weather permits and may be transferred to 

 cold frames as soon as it is safe to do so. When well 

 hardened off planting in the tubs can take place and I 

 have found the best results accrue from planting one pot 

 in the middle of the tub and four round the outside, 

 planting them whole. Growers differ as to whether, 

 when planting Sweet l'eas out of pots, it is better to 

 plant without disturbing the roots or to divide them, but 

 1 have found them start into growth quicker and be quite 

 satisfactory if undisturbed. Various methods have been 

 tried for supporting sweet peas when growing in tubs 

 but I do not believe anything answers the purpose so 

 well, either in tubs or outside, as good brush. This can 

 be placed firmly in the tubs when planting, one or two 

 pieces in the center and five or six round the outside will 

 be sufficient. They can be secured by tying a piece of 

 string around the middle but not too tight and the- 

 tips of the finish should he stuck around the young 

 plants to give them a start. A good, open sunny posi- 

 'ion is the best place for the tubs now and water should 



only be given when necessary as too much will sour the 

 soil or bring on disease. 



As soon as the plants are one foot high it is important 

 that they he again stopped by pinching out the heads of 

 the young shoots. This will produce a very full bushy 

 growth and give much more satisfactory results than if 

 they are only stopped once. From the time the buds 

 appear, if the weather is warm, copious supplies of water 

 may be given and liquid manure twice a week if possible. 

 By growing tubs of sweet peas in this way it is a com- 

 paratively easy matter to have hushes seven to eight Eee1 

 high and five to six feet in width and if the seed pods 

 are promptly picked off a wealth of bloom may be had 

 ! ill late in the season. 



ML Desert, Maine. 



Protest Sent to Secretary of Agriculture 



The following telegram has been received under date of January 21st: 



"At a meeting of interested parties of the trade held at the office of the S. A. F. and 0. H. today, a brief pre- 

 pared to be presented to the Secretary of Agriculture has been completed and will be submitted to the Executive 

 Committee of the Society for its official approval at its meeting in Detroit on January 31st, after which action 

 to secure a proper hearing at Washington on the plant import restrictions will be taken." 



JOHN YOUNG, Secretary 



