INTRODUCTION 5 



Pea Society's Show, and these classes are probably the 

 most popular in the whole of the show. 



The Sweet Pea Bi-Centenary Celebration at the Crystal 

 Palace in 1 900 was a great event, and was a red-letter 

 period in the history of this flower ; in fact it was epoch 

 marking. The exhibition on that occasion was a most 

 remarkable one, being a revelation to most visitors, many 

 of whom had no idea that so much interest was taken in 

 the Sweet Pea at that period. We doubt whether there 

 has ever been at any time a more powerful display of 

 flowers of one subject in that vast palace of glass. This 

 exhibition, together with the conference that took place 

 on that occasion, was the beginning of better things, and 

 was carried out on a large and comprehensive scale. 



As a result of this noteworthy event the National 

 Sweet Pea Society was born, and has since held exhibi- 

 tions both in London and in the provinces. It is impossible 

 adequately to measure the good work and great influence 

 of this special society. 



Those who have never visited one of the shows of the 

 National Sweet Pea Society have missed one of the 

 greatest floral treats of the year. The pretty way in 

 which the exhibits are disposed in the beautiful hall of 

 the Royal Horticultural Society, in Vincent Square, 

 Westminster, London, is worthy of emulation by other 

 Societies. This place is transformed into a veritable 

 fairy land. More than ordinary care is exhibited in the 

 manner in which the whole show is planned. It is a fine 

 conception. Superb quality characterises most of the 

 exhibits, and the fortunate winners of prizes invariably 

 set up Sweet Peas of the highest quality. 



The decorative uses of the Sweet Pea are also charm- 

 ingly exemplified in numerous dinner table -decora- 

 tions, than which we have seldom if ever seen better. 

 Hand- baskets, Bowls, Epergnes, and at times other 

 devices, are exhibited in competitions where the adapta- 



