426 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



or end of the stem. The root is tap. Calyx, four to five green tube- 

 shaped sepals. Coralla, many colored, butterfly-shaped, of five dis- 

 similar petals, designated thus: The upper, largest and exterior petal 

 is the " banner ;" the two lateral half exterior ones are the "wings ;" 

 the two lower interior, often united at the margin, are the " keel." 

 Pistil, one, single, and ovary one celled. Stamens numerous. Fruit, a 

 pod containing from two to four seeds, nearly black. 



As with all other plants, the first thing to be considered is loca- 

 tion, soil and its preparation. If possible, choose a sunny situation 

 with the rows running north and south, thus giving them the advant- 

 age of the morning and afternoon sunshine, yet avoiding some of the 

 mid-day heat. All authorities agree that the proper soil for this plant 

 is a loamy or clayey one. Begin by digging a trench 12 to 15 inches 

 deep and about 12 inches wide — wide enough for a double row of seed 

 — and pack in the bottom some well rotted stable manure and a quan- 

 tity of wood ashes. There should be about five or six inches of this 

 rich compost. It is a vital importance that only well-rotted manure 

 should be used, as sweet peas cannot thrive with any heating or fer- 

 menting matter near them. The potash supplied from the wood ashes 

 will produce strong woody vines and stems. 



Drop the seed thinly in the double row, allowing for a percentage 

 of failure — two or three inches is about right after they are up. At 

 first cover the seed with the soil only one inch deep. If the weather 

 is freezing, a little deeper. Fill in little by little as they grow, but 

 avoid covering the crowns. As the pea vine is best and strongest 

 when germinated slowly and in a low temperature, the time to plant 

 the seed is when the blue bird warbles the first measure of bis song. 

 This will be about the first of April. Autumn is said to be the best 

 time for preparing the trench. Since slow germination is one of the 

 secrets of success, it is a bad plan to soak the seed before planting. 

 In the case of a very dry spring this can be done. 



Careful attention must be paid to strong bushing. Some prefer 

 brush like that commonly used for the garden peas, although that has 

 a rather untidy, ragged appearance. A neater and quite as secure way 

 is to get a 6-foot chicken wire and extend it from stout posts at either 

 end of the row. Allow plenty of room for spreading. 



The enemies of the sweet pea are few. In the early stages of 

 growth it is necessary to keep careful watch for the cut worms. There 

 is another mysterious foe which sometimes attacks and shrivels the 

 stems here and there. Neither the cause nor remedy for this blight 

 are clearly known. 



