CHAPTER XIX 



WATERING AND FEEDING 



WITH the advent of warm weather it may be necessary 

 to have frequent recourse to the use of the water-pot. 

 This does not follow, however, in all gardens. Soil 

 differs so much in its character, that to lay down a hard 

 and fast rule for all growers to observe would be quite 

 a mistake. Ground that has been properly trenched 

 will retain moisture better than those quarters less well 

 treated. These are, therefore, points to remember when 

 going into the question of watering. 



Light, sandy soils are very thirsty, and take up an 

 immense quantity of water in dry weather without, 

 apparently, showing any result for its application. In 

 the case of heavy retentive land, the condition of the 

 surface soil is often most misleading, having the appear- 

 ance of being very dry, when the condition of the soil 

 immediately below the surface is just the reverse. To 

 water Sweet Peas in such circumstances would be court- 

 ing failure. 



When the Sweet Peas are at their best, and this may 

 be taken as a period covering the first three weeks in 

 July, the plants are put to a severe test. At this period 

 well-grown plants are literally covered with handsome 

 blossoms, that are usually borne on long, stout, erect 

 footstalks ; to produce flowers of this fine quality con- 

 tinuously for weeks, a great strain is put upon the 

 plants. 



Great heat is an additional strain, and to maintain 



