EARLY SUPPLIES OF SWEET PEAS 33 



Assuming the seeds be sown in the closing days of 

 December, as we have suggested, and the temperature be 

 maintained at about 45 degrees, germination will soon 

 take place, and the subsequent development of the plants 

 be of a distinctly sturdy character. Staking should be 

 done in good time, and small twiggy stakes be used for 

 the purpose. The young plants will not need much 

 water at first, but the soil must not be allowed to get 

 dry, or trouble from insect pests will very soon be 

 apparent. 



Subsequently, as the plants begin to make growth more 

 freely, moister conditions of the soil should be made to 

 prevail. Taller branching stakes should be inserted for 

 their support, and as the plants begin to avail themselves 

 of this further means of supporting their ample growths, 

 an occasional syringing on fine days will be highly 

 beneficial to them. 



All too often there is a desire on the part of growers 

 to increase the temperature at too early a date and this, 

 not seldom, is a cause of failure. When Sweet Peas are 

 sown at the period above-mentioned, they should be 

 maintained in cool conditions (say 45 degrees or there- 

 abouts) until the end of March, from which date the 

 temperature should be gradually increased to 55 or 6 

 degrees, and even a few degrees more when bright, 

 sunny weather prevails. Growth has to be promoted 

 during the latter part of March and throughout April, 

 subsequent to which period the temperature should be 

 gradually reduced that the shoots may become harder, 

 and better able to yield large and handsome blossoms on 

 a good length of footstalk. 



The surface soil should have a top dressing of rich 

 compost at this period, and weak doses of liquid manure 

 be applied at intervals to give a much-needed stimulus. 

 Periodical syringing with clear tepid water on the morning 

 of bright days is a great help, and if the glass structure 

 C 



