32 THE BOOK OF THE SWEET PEA 



space between them, it is possible to attend to the wants 

 of the Sweet Peas as they progress. In allowing this 

 space between the rows sufficient room is ensured for 

 watering and tying, etc., and for gathering the blossoms 

 when the flowering period is reached. 



Most market glass-houses have Mother Earth for the 

 floor, and on this account the culture of Sweet Peas is 

 made all the easier. The lines in which the seed is 

 sown are usually forked over, and prepared soil of a rich, 

 yet fairly light, character, to the depth of several inches 

 is placed thereon. Those who can prepare the soil in 

 more drastic fashion, so that there is a free root run for 

 the plants, promote their chances of success to a very 

 considerable degree. Where the soil is poor, or of a 

 shallow description, we know of instances where floor 

 boards are fixed on edge on both sides of the rows and 

 prepared soil filled in to provide the necessary plant food 

 to last throughout the whole of the growing period. 



We know of other instances where the centre of a 

 long glass-house has been used for growing Sweet Peas 

 under glass in another fashion. This space has had six- 

 inch boards adjusted on edge on both sides of the bed, 

 and the latter made by filling in prepared soil of a rich 

 and lasting kind to the level of the boards. The rows 

 have then been sown crosswise and in this way a nice 

 representation of quite a large number of varieties have 

 been accommodated. 



Those who have airy glass structures in private gardens 

 may succeed in growing Sweet Peas satisfactorily, but 

 there is always the danger when growing many other 

 subjects in the same structure, of endeavouring to serve 

 the best interests of the whole of them and doing none 

 of them well. Tubs, large pots, and boxes may be 

 utilised in such cases, and if these be carefully crocked 

 and good soil requisitioned for the purpose, we believe 

 good results will accrue. 



