Sweet Peas 



in boxes or pots. If they can be allowed to 

 stand in a greenhouse until the seeds germinate 

 so much the better. Many people have difficul- 

 ties with germination. These arise either from 

 keeping the soil in the boxes too wet or too dry. 

 It is quite a good plan to thoroughly soak the 

 soil in the pots or boxes before sowing ; then lay 

 the seeds on top and cover with half an inch or 

 three-quarters of fine* soil or sand. The pots or 

 boxes can be shaded till germination takes place 

 by putting sheets of brown paper over them. 

 Seeds of cream, white, and lavender varieties 

 should on no account be put deeper than stated, 

 as they are more delicate and overwatering in 

 their case causes rotting at once. Very hard 

 skinned seeds varieties like Elsie Herbert, 

 Sunproof Crimson, and Mrs. Cuthbertson will 

 germinate quicker if a tiny little piece is chipped 

 off the side of each seed with a pen knife before 

 planting. If this is not done, and it is found 

 that some varieties do not appear above ground 

 by the time the others have germinated, the 

 seeds can be lifted and chipped and replanted, 

 after which they will germinate quickly. What to 

 strive after is to give seeds under glass conditions 

 similar to what they would find in the ground 

 in genial March and April weather. 



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