CHAPTER V 

 EARLY SUPPLIES OF SWEET PEAS UNDER GLASS 



THE culture of Sweet Peas for early flowering is a 

 subject regarding which very little appears to have been 

 done. From time to time we are treated to an article in 

 one or otherof the horticultural papers, wherein the writer 

 endeavours to enlist the sympathy and support of his 

 readers, when propounding methods for ensuring a dis- 

 play of these fragrant blossoms in both the winter and 

 the spring seasons under glass. 



We do not doubt that it is possible to grow Sweet 

 Peas and flower them fairly satisfactorily in the winter 

 season, but, after all, we fail to see what real advantage 

 there is in proving their adaptability to this newer form 

 of culture. 



The flowering period of the Sweet Pea is sufficiently 

 lengthy already without unduly prolonging it or causing 

 it to begin at an unnecessarily early date. 



Were enquiry to be made of most Sweet Pea en- 

 thusiasts why they appreciate the flower, they would in 

 many cases, we feel sure, be quick to acknowledge that 

 the beginning of its flowering period is the harbinger of 

 our summer, which, when normal is almost unsurpassed 

 for its charms in so far as gardening is concerned. 



We have far more sympathy with the endeavours 

 made by a few enterprising growers, who desire to 

 cultivate their Sweet Peas so that good flowers, and 

 plenty of them, may be gathered, say, in the early days 

 of May. The more genial weather of this period fully 



