CHAPTER III 



How to Grow Sweet Peas for Exhibition 



So rapid has been the rise of Sweet Pea shows throughout the 

 country since the amazing progress of this favourite flower began in 

 real earnest that it seems as though almost every grower, sooner or 

 later, in greater or lesser degree, would become an exhibitor. The 

 cultivation of Sweet Peas for exhibition has been reduced to a tine 

 art by some of the most successful growers, and the results they 

 obtain are nothing short of phenomenal. Five or even six blooms 

 on a stem, leaves bearing a greater resemblance to those of cabbages 

 than of Sweet Peas, to judge by comparison with the produce of the 

 ordinary Sweet Pea grower, shoots of a vigour that is altogether 

 astonishing, and flower stems 18 inches long, such are Sweet Peas as 

 grown by the more skilful of present day exhibitors. And the 

 means by which such results are obtained ? Well, briefly they are 

 these. In the autumn the ground is well dug at least 2 feet deep 

 and another foot of soil below that is broken up ; sometimes the soil 

 is trenched to the depth of 3 feet, plenty of well decayed manure 

 being incorporated. In January or February seeds are sown in 

 pots in a greenhouse or frame. The seedlings are planted out in 

 April and receive scrupulous attention in the way of watering, 

 manuring, training, and all other necessary operations. Now judge 

 if you will become an exhibitor of Sweet Peas ! Moreover, you must 

 grow the finest varieties obtainable, otherwise the success which 

 might have been yours may be lost to you owing to a bad selection 

 of sorts. But hear what Mr. A. Malcolm, one of the most famous 

 of growers and exhibitors of Sweet Peas, has to say on the subject. 

 His advice is practical and to the point, and invaluable to all who 

 contemplate entering the ranks of Sweet Pea exhibitors : 



Preparing the Ground. The preparation of the ground is 

 the first step towards the production of exhibition spikes. Deep 

 culture is essential. The trenches must be 2 feet deep and the 

 soil below that forked over. If the latter spit is of a porous nature 

 you may make the 2 feet above it as rich as you please, but if not it 



18 



