SWEET PEAS UP TO DATE 



and on heavier and more retentive soils once a week. 

 When flowers appear liquid manures should also be 

 used, but given rather weak to begin with. Sheep or 

 cow manure, made by steeping it in a tub or barrel, or 

 taken from the farm cesspool and well diluted, will be 

 found excellent, and this may be changed occasionally 

 for artificials. Superphosphate (acid phosphate), one 

 ounce to a gallon of water. Sulphate of potash, 

 nitrate of potash, half an ounce to a gallon of water. 

 Nitrate of soda should be given only if the plants re- 

 quire a special "pick me up" towards the end of the 

 season. 



To give flowers extra fine color I believe there is 

 nothing to surpass soot (the real Scotch imported 

 soot may now be obtained from many establish- 

 ments). 



In showery weather it may be dusted along the 

 soil on both sides of the plants, or used as a liquid 

 manure as advised on page 23. 



EXHIBITING SWEET PEAS 

 Intending exhibitors must keep the blooms hard cut 

 from the vines until, say, four days previous to the 

 date of the show, and all varieties that are likely to 

 scald with the sun should be shaded with cheese-cloth 

 or other light material, as in close competition a single 

 scorched flower might make all the difference between 

 a first or second prize. Do not erect the shading until 

 three days previous to the date the flowers are required, 

 and remove it immediately after cutting, as continued 

 shading rapidly weakens the plant. 



Varieties that have orange in their colorings (such 

 40 



