10 SWEET PEAS 



of the places where a few clumps may be seen to advantage ; there 

 are generally a few bare patches at the back where they can be 

 planted. The colour of the flowers with which they are to associate 

 must be borne in mind, so as to have colours together which will 

 harmonise or form pleasing contrasts. 



There are often small beds and borders round the dwelling house 

 where a few clumps can also be placed advantageously, and the scent 

 of the flowers would, in many cases be much appreciated. If the 

 house happens to be of red brick, it would scarcely do to plant the 

 red and rose coloured varieties, as they would not show to the same 

 advantage as the whites and blues. As a temporary screen for hid- 

 ing frames, old sheds, etc., rows of Sweet Peas are also useful. A 

 short row or two, say in the kitchen garden, and a few clumps 

 scattered about among the mixed flower borders, all tend to add 

 fresh interest. In sheltered positions on lawns there is nothing 

 brighter than a few isolated clumps, especially if they have shrubs 

 for a background. 



Cultural Details. There is really nothing much to say about 

 the cultivation of Sweet Peas in various parts of the garden, except 

 that the ground should be cultivated really well, broken up as deeply 

 as possible, and given a liberal dressing of manure. Spent manure 

 should not be used. If the manure is very strong and fresh it should 

 not be less than one foot from the surface. In most cases it would 

 be advisable to sow early in February in pots, and plant out when 

 the seedlings are strong in April. Both time and trouble in going 

 about the garden looking after the various plants in the young stage 

 are thus saved. Whatever method of staking is employed it should 

 be done thoroughly and neatly. Care must be taken during the 



FIG. 2. STAKING SWEET PEAS 



H, upright staking with hazel sticks, 4 feet high (above ground) : ?/, double 

 row of Sweet Pea plants, 6 inches apart in row and alternate order. 



I, oblique or slanting staking with hazel sticks, 3 feet in height : v, plants in 

 single row, 1 foot apart. J, staking with wire trellis, called Pea trellis, 

 in heights of 3 feet (that shown) 4 feet and 5 feet, double framed 

 standards, all galvanised : m t row of plants thinned to 12 inches apart 

 and stopped at that height. 



Clump of Sweet Peas staked : K, with hazel sticks 3 feet high ; L, with 

 hazel sticks 4 feet high ; M, showing use of cylinder trellis 10 

 inches diameter at bottom and 3 feet high, galvanised. 



