SWEET PEAS UP TO DATE 



leguminosae family of plants, all of which are capable 

 of assimilating the free nitrogen of the atmosphere, it 

 is unnatural to feed it nitrates, as by so doing the 

 nitrogen-gathering bacteria in the root nodules die of 

 inanition and the plant is, therefore, susceptible to 

 disease. Therefore where disease has prevailed it is 

 well to avoid the too free use of farmyard manure. 



If the soil must have humus, apply the dung to the 

 previous crop, or use it only in a thoroughly rotted 

 condition, as in that state most of the nitrogen will 

 previously have been liberated. 



Some experts claim that the free use of sulphate of 

 potash will prevent disease, and advocate applying it at 

 the rate of one pound to every four yard run of row two 

 weeks previous to planting or sowing, forking it well 

 into the ground. Of course, this must be done only 

 when the soil is in a sufficiently dry condition. 



Permanganate of potash is also advocated and I 

 have found much benefit to follow its use. Dissolve 

 one ounce of the crystals in six gallons of water, thor- 

 oughly saturate the soil around the plants, and also 

 spray the vines at intervals of six or seven days. 



THE BEST SWEET PEAS 



So much depends on the personal taste or fancy of 

 the expert that it would be absurd to say arbitrarily 

 that any set of varieties were the very best. However, 

 to assist those who have not had an opportunity of 

 making comparisons, the following selections can be de- 

 pended upon whether they are intended for exhibition 

 purposes or for garden and home decoration. My first 

 choice is those marked with an asterisk. 



34 



