6 THE BOOK OF THE SWEET PEA 



bility of this flower for decorative uses is beautifully 

 demonstrated. 



New varieties are set up by the Sweet Pea specialists 

 in groups, pleasingly disposed round the walls of the 

 hall, in this way forming a dainty framework to the 

 numerous and varied exhibits embraced therein. The 

 future of the Sweet Pea is safe in the care of this Society. 

 The Floral Committee is a most important body of well- 

 qualified experts, who appear to give considerable 

 attention to the new varieties as they are placed before 

 them. In this way the public is protected and helped. 

 Awards of merit are not made unless the novelty sub- 

 mitted fully justifies such recognition, and a first-class 

 certificate, which is a higher award, is usually credited 

 to varieties and these are few of the highest quality. 

 The silver medal for the best novelty of the year is an 

 honour that is naturally much coveted by raisers of new 

 kinds ; it may, therefore, be taken for granted, that the 

 novelty on which the highest honour of the Society can 

 be conferred must possess sterling qualities. 



Not the least interesting work of the Society is the 

 series of trials of Sweet Peas carried out so ably by Mr 

 Charles Foster, in the gardens of Reading University 

 College. These are extensive and perfectly independent 

 trials, and the results attained must tend to promote the 

 well-being of this subject. The Floral Committee of 

 the National Sweet Pea Society in the past, have 

 attended the meetings, etc., and given their services un- 

 grudgingly, doing so in the interests of Sweet Pea 

 growers, who benefit in no mean degree by the labours 

 of the former, and who should be quick to appreciate 

 their services by supporting the Society with an annual 

 subscription. 



A matter of considerable importance to growers is the 

 compilation of a list of "too-much-alike" varieties. 

 This is a very timely service, and is repeated annually. 



