50 THE BOOK OF THE SWEET PEA 



at such a time would be largely rendering null and void 

 the advantage that should accrue as a consequence of 

 this early preparatory work. When the surface is 

 broken up finely the air passages of the soil become 

 closed, and aeration ceases to a large extent in conse- 

 quence, and it becomes a case of " love's labour lost." 



A matter of considerable importance for the inex- 

 perienced to remember, when carrying out the trenching 

 operations, is not to bring the subsoil to the surface. 

 When this has been done inadvertently, Sweet Peas 

 sown or planted in such soil have invariably failed or 

 done badly. We have seen the results accruing from 

 such an indiscretion. The first year the plants have 

 failed in a little while. The second year the results 

 have been better, because by exposure to the weather 

 and the incorporation of other material of a fertilising 

 character the soil has been improved. The subsoil 

 should be kept in its proper position underneath, to be 

 improved and made fertile by a gradual process spread 

 over several years. Deep culture will ultimately make 

 all subsoils available to a reasonable depth in the course 

 of time. 



In the spring the quarters over which so much trouble 

 was taken in the previous autumn or winter should be 

 forked over, working in a good dressing of soot that 

 has been stored for some time. Heavy surface soils 

 may be improved by working in at the same time a light 

 dressing of old hot-bed manure, which will still further 

 break up the caked surface and make it more workable. 



Before leaving this aspect of their culture it is only 

 fair to the Sweet Peas to say that good results may be 

 obtained from a less rigorous system of dealing with the 

 soils of our garden. In many suburban gardens and 

 other circumscribed areas it is almost impossible to 

 trench the soil in the fashion we have recommended for 

 those who accord their plants a system of high culture 



