CHAPTER XII 



PROPAGATION OF SWEET PEAS BY CUTTINGS 



THAT Sweet Peas could be propagated by cuttings was 

 unknown a few years ago, and when this fact was made 

 known many were ill disposed to give credence to the 

 statement. It is a fact, however, and already advantage 

 has been taken of the information and stocks increased 

 by these means. 



Where this method of propagation has been received 

 with more than ordinary satisfaction, is in the establish- 

 ments of those who find the purchase of novelties a 

 rather expensive luxury. Trade growers, and those 

 whose business it is to grow Sweet Peas for seed saving, 

 have quickly turned this information to practical account. 



For giving prominence to this phase of culture certain 

 authorities who are much opposed to this method of in- 

 creasing stocks, may be disposed to take strong excep- 

 tion. There are those who argue that the propagation 

 of Sweet Peas by cuttings is going to weaken the con- 

 stitution of different stocks and bring trouble on Sweet 

 Pea growers in the not distant future. In careless and 

 ignorant hands there may be something in this argument, 

 but in the case of growers who know their business, 

 we believe there is no cause whatever to fear. Sweet 

 Pea novelties are now sold at high prices, relatively 

 speaking, making it absolutely prohibitive for some 

 persons to acquire a sufficient supply to meet the 

 needs of their business. In such cases, by the pur- 

 chase of a few packets of the choicer kind, growers 

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