30 



SWEET PEAS 



made about two feet wide at the base, and at least one foot high. If 

 they are much wider or deeper the frosts will not have such a bene- 

 ficial effect on the whole as one could wish. It does not matter how 

 rough and lumpy the ridges may appear ; the more lumpy the soil is 

 the better will it be pulverised in the end, and also, the deeper will 

 the frosts penetrate. 



The Use of Manures. This is a subject often imperfectly 

 understood by beginners and inexperienced amateurs, and this being 

 the case far more harm than good is likely to follow an application, 



THE SOIL IS LEFT IN RIDGES 

 THROUGHOUT THE WINTER. 



SHOWING HOW THE SEEDS 

 ARE SOWN IN SPRING. 



since too much may cause an irretrievable loss of plants. Safest of 

 all, perhaps, is farmyard manure, and since, so far as Sweet Peas are 

 concerned, this should be dug some eighteen or twenty inches be- 

 neath the soil in the autumn when the ground is dug or trenched, 

 any danger that may attach to its too liberal use is discounted by 

 the fact that the seeds or plants are not put into the soil for some 

 months afterwards. One thing "-the amateur would do well to 

 remember is never to place manure in direct contact with the roots. 

 The latter derive the greatest benefit when the manure is well 

 mixed with the soil. Then the haulm of the plants is strengthened 



