26 SWEET PEAS 



15 to ]8 inches long that is all one needs. It is easy by the 

 application of nitrates to force them to abnormal length, but they 

 are of little or no use for exhibition. One must have a well 

 balanced stem, and there is a risk of want of balance when the 

 stem is over 18 inches in length. 



Hints on Exhibiting. There is a tremendous lot of work 

 and worry in connection with showing Sweet Peas ; but, whether 

 growers intend to send to shows or not, the methods advised to 

 procure flowers of choice quality are worth following out. Arrange- 

 ment, and that alone, when the exhibits are fairly even, usually 

 wins the prizes, and before exhibiting in the big shows practise 

 the art of setting up. The removal of lateral growths and dis- 

 budding is not adopted here. If the beds and rows are well 

 prepared and the blooms removed daily/ it is unnecessary. To 

 those who cannot procure suitable manure, it may be interesting 

 to know that last year I tested a row without it 25 yards long 

 and twenty-two plants. The ground was trenched 3 feet deep, 

 well broken up the whole depth, and by the end of the season I 

 had a dense hedge 13 feet high covered from top to bottom 

 with splendid blooms. The main stems of these plants were as 

 thick as the little finger. 



Cutting and Packing. When cutting blooms for an exhibition 

 select the best twenty-five sprays on the spot and place the stems in 

 water for three or four hours. After that take them out, wipe the 

 surplus moisture oft the stems, wrap in tissue paper ; pack in single 

 rows in boxes so that they are fairly steady when the box is shaken. 

 They carry a long distance after such treatment. Should the 

 weather be very warm the stems may be soft when unpacked ; place 

 them at once in cold water, when they will get firm. 



FIG. 6. TRANSPLANTING SWEET PEAS BY TROWEL AND DIBBER 

 AT PROPER DISTANCE IN ROWS AND BETWEEN ROWS 



S, plant injured in being turned out of pot : y, root sound ; c, stem broken 

 no use. 



T, planting by trowel : a, hole made ; J, plant inserted and soil taken out 

 replaced with trowel ; c, plant properly planted. U, planting by dibber 

 d, hole made ; e, plant placed in hole and dibber inserted for closing 

 hole ; /, plants after planting. V, plants placed in rows 4 feet apart 

 and 6 inches distant in the row : g, plant row : A, twiggy sticks to pro- 

 tect the young plants. 



