CHAPTER XXVIII 



TOO-MUCH-ALIKE VARIETIES 



THE National Sweet Pea Society has for some time past 

 published a bracketed list annually of varieties that are 

 regarded as too-much-alike. The list is increasing at a 

 rather alarming rate, if we make a comparison between 

 the lists of 1907 and 1908. In the former year the 

 total number of varieties under this heading numbered 

 fifty-two, but in the latter year there were no less than 

 seventy-seven varieties an increase of about fifty per 

 cent. 



Such a compilation cannot be too highly valued by 

 exhibitors and others, as a reference to the list will 

 save the pockets of purchasers of seed, and what is of 

 more importance, growers will be in a position to avoid 

 growing a number of unnecessary varieties, that would 

 probably have been cultivated but for the publication of 

 this and subsequent annual lists. 



The "National" stipulate that "not more than one 

 of the bracketed varieties shall be shown on the same 

 stand at any exhibition of the National Sweet Pea 

 Society." This should be conclusive proof of the 

 similarity of one variety to that of another, in those 

 bracketed together by the Floral Committee. 



A reference to the bracketed list reveals the fact that 

 there are several instances of three sorts being too- 

 much-alike, two cases of four varieties, one of six, two 

 of seven, and one of no less than nine varieties being 

 bracketed together. It is wise of the Committee to call 



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