THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NEW YORK 



by erecting a light wooden framework covered with ordinary builders' 

 lath spaced about an inch apart. Through this the plants get the light 

 necessary, a free circulation of air, and the flowers will not burn. 



Labeling 



If there is one thing more exasperating than another to the sweet pea 

 grower, it is to find that when his plants come into flower the varieties are 

 more or less mixed. This is more likely to happen where the plants are 

 sown and grown in pots. To avoid this, we recommend putting a label in 

 each pot, and at planting time make a plan and keep a record of the loca- 

 tion of each variety. In this way confusion and annoyance will be avoided. 

 This will be of great importance if we go in for crossing and seed 

 production. 



Crossing and Seed Saving 



To those who have had no experience in hybridizing the sweet pea, some 

 puzzling situations may occur. They must learn that several days before 

 the blossom opens the pollen is ripe, the stigma is ready, and fertilization 

 has taken place, if it is ever going to occur. It is therefore necessary to 

 carefully open the keel of the flower when in bud and examine the anthers 

 with a pocket lens, to find out if the pollen grains are shed or ready to 

 shed. If we find the anthers closed, we cut them all awa5% leaving only 

 the stigma to which you apply the pollen from the flower which you wish 

 to use in making the cross. It is well to fertilize all the flowers on a stem, 

 as in this way you are more certain of securing the cross you desire. If 

 you do not think this advisable, cut away the unfertilized flowers. Tie a 

 small durable label to the stem with the record of the cross. 



To make sure of good seed, either artificially or naturally fertilized, July 

 is none to early to begin, as the plants are then at the height of their 

 vigor, and there is a chance of the seeds ripening before the fall rains set 

 in. If you determine to save your own seed, you will go carefully over the 

 rows, removing all those not true to type (and alas there are always a 

 goodly number) before allowing any seed to set. In raising and flowering 

 your crosses you will have many disappointments, as well as some de- 

 lightful experiences, and it is well to remember that it takes several years 

 for a cross to settle down to a fixed type; but this delightful uncertainty is 

 only one of the many charms of raising new kinds. 



Insects and Diseases 

 Even the dainty fairy-Uke sweet pea is not exempt from the attacks of 

 insect pests. Among these, green fly is perhaps the worst. The only 

 remedy for this pest is some form of nicotine spray, of which there are a 

 number on the market, and a careful grower will not let this or any other 

 insect get a very strong hold on his plants before he takes measures for 

 their eradication. Red spider may be kept in check by forcible spraying 

 with water. Thrips, like the green fly, must be fought with a nicotine 

 spray. 



