82 SWEET PEAS 



its tendrils, and you will have to keep all growth in place by tying. Try 

 poles by all means, as if successful the result would be very pretty? 

 but be prepared for more than the ordinary amount of work. You 

 would find rough poles such as larch, oak, or ash better than 

 bamboos. Personally, I should prefer to give each plant a nice 

 twiggy hazel bough. 



Sixteen Sweet Peas for Exhibition, The following sixteen 

 varieties are all distinct, vigorous, and carry three to four flowers on 

 a stem : Lord Nelson, Countess Spencer or Paradise, Frank Dolby, 

 Helen Lewis, John Ingman or George Herbert, Helen Pierce, King 

 Edward VII., Queen Alexandra, Mrs. Collier, Nora Unwin, Mrs. 

 Hardcastle Sykes, Jeannie Gordon, A. J. Cook, Sybil Eckford, Black 

 Knight, and Dora Breadmore. The above list .includes none of the 

 1908 novelties, but the best of the 1907 and older varieties. They 

 should be quite good enough to win in all but the strongest 

 competition. 



Red Lead and Sweet Peas. When properly applied there 

 is no question that red lead safeguards Sweet Pea seeds against birds, 

 mice, and ground vermin generally. I do not, however, think you 

 will find it efficacious against slugs, as these attack the young plants 

 and not the seeds. To coat the seeds properly put a little red lead 

 in a bag, damp the seeds, and then drop them into the bag, shaking 

 them round and round so that they get coated all over. I do not 

 know in what way the red lead could be injurious to the plant ; 

 I have certainly never heard of any injury following its use. 

 It is a deadly poison, but Sweet Peas are, of course, not eaten that 

 is, by their growers. On the other hand, culinary Peas : are dusted 

 with red lead very generally, and no harm results. 



Exhibition Sweet Pea List for Criticism. If you only 

 intend to exhibit in classes for twelve or for six varieties you will 

 probably find the sixteen'sorts you have sufficient. However, I may 

 point out that Countess Spencer and Enchantress are not allowed 

 on the same stand by the N.S.P.S., so that, reduces your varieties 

 to fifteen. Then, Horace Wright is scarcely likely to give you 

 exhibition flowers, and I would advise you to get Lord Nelson 

 instead. I also think that either King Edward VII. or Queen 

 Alexandra should take the place of Henry Eckford, as you already 

 have an orange variety in Helen Lewis, and no crimson or scarlet ; 

 if you want the latest and best in scarlets you should purchase 

 Miss E. F. Drayson. Audrey Crier would certainly strengthen the 

 list, but you do not want Bobby K. with Mrs. Hardcastle Sykes, and 



