96 SWEET PEAS 



April or early May. At that time many of the forced bulbs are go- 

 ing out of bloom, so they are particularly welcome. Mr. Thomas 

 Stevenson recommends the following method of cultivation. 



Sow Seeds in September. Seeds may be sown in September, 

 and these, if kept growing quite steadily during the winter months, 

 ought to be nicely in bloom by the middle of April ; but it must be 

 remembered that Sweet Peas cannot be forced ; a warm temperature 

 weakens the plants, and at the time the first flowers begin to open 

 it is very apt to make the buds fall. The seeds are sown in 5 -inch 

 pots, placing five or six seeds round the edge of the pots in a fairly 

 light soil mixture that is not too rich, leaf soil and loam with the 

 addition of a little sand and a sprinkling of bone meal being suitable. 

 The seedlings are placed in a cold frame, the lights being kept off in 

 fine weather. In fact, they need not be put on except to keep off 

 heavy rain, though it is advisable to put a fish net over the frame 

 to protect the plants from birds. 



A Sprinkling of Soot around and over the pots will ward off 

 the attacks of slugs. Mice are very fond of the seedlings, and a 

 sharp look-out must be kept for them ; if they put in an appearance 

 they must be trapped or poisoned. My usual practice is to place a 

 few pieces of bread and butter about the frames upon which has been 

 spread a little phosphorus paste ; by this means mice can be kept 

 down. When the weather begins to get cold and wet, it is as well to 

 remove the pots to a shelf in a cool house. In this position they 

 may remain till early January, when the plants ought to be from 

 4 to 6 inches in height. Until the end of February growth will be 

 slow, but if an examination is made of the roots it will be found 

 that they are getting well hold of the soil, and with the advent of 

 rather longer and brighter days, growth will be quite fast enough. 

 A little more heat may be given, but unless the weather is very mild 

 out of doors, 50 should be the maximum night temperature. 



Treatment throughout Winter. Very little water is needed 

 during the winter months. I prefer to keep the soil rather dry, 

 although, of course, not quite dry. As growth advances more water 

 will be needed, but at all times it must be judiciously applied, 

 especially when the plants just show bloom, as an overdose of water 

 or manure at that season will possibly make them drop their buds. 

 As soon as the flowers begin to open nicely they will take water very 

 freely, and manure water, such as cow or horse manure, with the 

 addition of a little soot, may be given at each watering. Also a 

 little artificial fertiliser, such as Clay's or any other manures jon the 



