S\veet Peas 



potted off into small pots. After growth begins 

 the plants should have the tops pinched off to 

 encourage side growths which will spring from near 

 the base. 



Supposing these early plants are not desired, 

 two other methods of sowing are practised which 

 I shall now describe. 



SOWING UNDER GLASS. As seeds of the fine 

 Spencer or waved Sweet Peas are rather ex- 

 pensive, sowing under glass is very generally 

 followed. It is of course necessary to have a 

 small greenhouse or a frame to carry it out ; or 

 to get the use of a neighbour's. Early in February 

 is quite a good time to sow, and the seeds should 

 be placed in boxes as described above. When the 

 plants have grown to five or six inches in height, 

 the tops should be pinched off, and instead of 

 transplanting as recommended with autumn- 

 sown plants, all that requires to be done is to 

 harden off the plants ; that is, gradually to 

 accustom them to do without the protection of 

 the glass until they have no protection whatever 

 night or day. This condition should be arrived 

 at early in April, because by mid-April the plants 

 must be planted out in their flowering quarters 

 a little earlier or a little later according to locality. 

 Such plants will make a fine hedge of Sweet Peas 



20 



