CHAPTER IV 

 SWEET PEAS OF THE CUPID AND BUSH TYPES 



THESE are types of the Sweet Peas that have never 

 appeared to "catch on" in this country, and it is not 

 difficult to understand the reason for this apparent 

 apathy on the part of growers. They are, no doubt, 

 of some interest, as all flowers are, more especially 

 those of a hardy character. But unless these two forms 

 possess some specially good trait in their character 

 to warrant their more extensive culture, we fear they 

 will receive even less attention in the future than they 

 have in the past. The Sweet Pea is valued for its free 

 and vigorous branching growth, on which is evolved 

 as a consequence a profuse display of beautiful blossoms 

 on long stems. But in the case of the types under 

 notice these characteristics are conspicuous by their 

 absence. The dwarf character and stunted growth 

 of the Cupid varieties can hardly be regarded as a thing 

 of beauty, although for just a short period their pro- 

 cumbent or creeping style of growth is something 

 to interest and please. We have seen them growing 

 in pots, and at their best they appear to possess little 

 that is commendable. We have also seen them in the 

 nursery grounds of Messrs H. Cannell & Sons, at 

 Eynsford, Kent, where they have been represented in 

 better form than we have seen them elsewhere. It was 

 our good fortune to inspect the collection there in the 

 early days of July, and at that period they were certainly 

 interesting and pretty, but could hardly be regarded as 

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