CHAPTER XXIX 



SOME OF THE PESTS AND DISEASES OF THE 

 SWEET PEA 



THE Sweet Pea is not more immune from pests and 

 diseases than other hardy flowering plants. Diseases 

 that may have been quite common to this subject in 

 earlier days, were probably less noticeable owing to the 

 fact that comparatively little interest was taken in the 

 flower. With the advent of increased interest however, 

 and culture of a higher order, the susceptibility of the 

 Sweet Pea to the attacks of pests and diseases has been 

 more noticeable. To check the spread of diseases that 

 threaten either to mar the beauty of the flower or 

 devastate stocks, persistent efforts should be made to 

 eradicate them before they gain the upper hand. In the 

 case of pests, remedies must be rigorously applied, 

 otherwise growers may have to deplore the loss of, or 

 damage to, promising plants. 



That there may be troubles ahead no one would dare 

 to deny, but with the possession of the necessary know- 

 ledge of what to do in each individual instance, we may 

 be able to free our plants from such troubles, and 

 ourselves from anxiety, in that respect. 



We will, therefore, proceed to deal with the more 

 notable diseases and pests, in the hope that readers may 

 profit by the advice given. 



SWEET PEA MILDEW (Eryslphe polygoni). Much 

 damage is done to the plants by this fungoid disease in 

 hot dry seasons. The mildew quickly spreads over the 



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