CHAPTER XXI 



WHEN TO GATHER THE SWEET PEAS 



How often one is asked the question, " when should I 

 gather my Sweet Peas ? " It cannot be denied that 

 there is a period in the day when, if the flowers be 

 gathered, they will last better and consequently can be 

 represented better, either indoors or at the exhibition. 

 Doubtless, most readers have their own opinions on this 

 matter, having tested it for themselves. Still there are 

 others who are seeking for information and who would 

 be glad to follow the advice of those who have already 

 satisfied themselves thereon. We have gathered our 

 Sweet Peas in the early morning, also at noon and 

 during the afternoon. An evening gathering has been 

 made too, and as a final test we have made comparisons 

 between morning gathered and evening gathered flowers, 

 and have come to the conclusion that Sweet Peas gathered 

 before eight o'clock in the morning give results that 

 are far better than gatherings made at any other time. 

 There are good reasons for this which it would be 

 difficult for most persons to refute. Assuming the 

 plants are watered pretty frequently during the 

 blossoming period, we have to remember that the water- 

 ing and feeding is usually done in the late afternoon or 

 cool of the evening. In this way the Sweet Peas are 

 enabled to take advantage of water and food supplies 

 during the whole of the evening, night and early 

 morning, and in hot dry weather, every reader knows 

 what an immense benefit this is to both plants and 



