CHAPTER XXI 

 PLANT SUPPORTS 



IT is now time for us to be thinking of the train- 

 ing and supporting of some of our plants. 



Garden peas and sweet peas both need some- 

 thing to climb on for they are vines. As a rule 

 brush (which in this case means branches of trees 

 or bushes) is stuck into the ground along the row 

 of plants. If you can get these branches from 

 willow or hazel or alder, they are excellent. If 

 you cannot get any, a piece of chicken fence wire or 

 an old fish net will do. For these two latter, stakes 

 should be driven into the ground at each end of the 

 row, if the row is short, or at intervals if the row is 

 long. There will not be a great deal of weight on 

 the fence so your stakes need not be very heavy. 

 Stretch the wire or net and fasten to the stakes ; the 

 vine's tendrils will soon feel it, and begin to climb. 

 If your vines should be leaning away from this sup- 

 port, lay them over and draw a little earth against 

 the roots so they will remain in the position you 

 want them. 



160 



