256 



LATHYR-TTS. SWEET PEA. 



[A name employed by Theophrastus, to designate a leguminous plant.] 



Latkyrus latifolillS, or Everlasting Pea, is a most beau- 

 tiful, large, diffuse perennial, producing a long succession 

 of large light-purple or pink flowers, in clusters of eight 

 or ten each. The plant is suitable for the shrubbery, ar- 

 bors, or for training to a trellis. When supported, it at- 

 tains the height of six feet. " It attaches and supports it- 

 self, like many scandent plants, by means of the branching 

 tendrils terminating its single pair of broad leaflets." 



A variety has white flowers. It may be propagated by 

 dividing the roots, or more extensively by sowing the 

 seeds. Young plants will flower the second year feebly, 

 but the third and fourth year they produce a profusion of 

 foliage and flowers. It has been suggested that it might 

 be applied to agricultural purposes with profit, on account 

 of its yielding so great a quantity of fodder and seed. 



Lt graildlflorus. Great-flowered Everlasting Pea. 

 The flowers are very large, rose-colored, and appear two 

 or three together ; the foliage and stems light and elegant ; 

 not in common cultivation. The roots of the Ever-bloom- 

 ing or Everlasting Peas are very long and fleshy, and in a 

 loamy soil send down a tap root, three or four feet into the 

 ground, and will remain for many years without injury 

 from the severest winter. f 



Li OdoratllS. Sweet Pea, is one of the most beautiful an<? 

 fragrant of the genus, and is deservedly one of the most 

 popular annuals that enrich the flower-garden. The va- 

 rieties are white, rose, red, crimson, purple, black, and 

 striped. One style of planting is, to place them in circles, 

 two feet in diameter and four feet apart, each variety by 

 itself. When the young plants commence growing and 

 require support, a neat stake should be firmly placed in 

 the center of the circle, to which they should be trained, 

 on strong strings to the top of the stake, which should be 



