360 FLORA DOIMESTICA. 



SAVEET-PExi. 



LATHYRUS. 



LEGUMINOS^. DIADELPIIIA DECANDKIA. 



French, pois odorans; pois cTe senteur [both signifying scented 

 pea] ; pois de fleur [flower pea.] 



The Sweet-pea has several varieties, greatly differing 

 in colour : the common sort, which is blue and dark-purple, 

 sometimes with a tinge of red, is a native of Sicily. The 

 more delicate kind, white and blush, or white and deep 

 rose-colour, sometimes with a mixture of pale blue, is a 

 native of the Island of Ceylon, and is called the Painted- 

 lady. 



The Tangier-pea is a native of Barbary, its colours 

 purple and red : it is an annual plant, which grows to the 

 height of four or five feet ; blossoms in June or July, and 

 dies in autumn. 



Although the Sweet-pea is now so common in this 

 country that we seldom see a garden, however small, that 

 cannot boast of possessing it; it is not more than a hun- 

 dred years since it was numbered among our rare and 

 curious plants, and in the time of Parkinson and Evelyn 

 it was not known in our gardens. 



This Pea blows in June, and continues in blossom till 

 killed by the frost. It may be sown about half an inch 

 deep, and it may be well to scatter the seeds pretty thickly ; 

 if they all grow, the weaker ones may be removed, 

 and the stronger left. They may be sown in October, 

 and kept in-doors till spring ; or may be sown and 

 placed abroad at once in March or April. In cold weather, 

 the earth should be just kept moist; in hot dry summer 

 weather, it must be watered every evening, and if neces- 

 sary in the morning also. When the plants are about 

 three inches high, sticks should be placed to support 

 them, three or four feet in length. This plant should not 



