Sweet Pea 



or sixty varieties should include the most distinct and beautiful 

 flowers yet raised ; of these the Giant-flowered class is most con- 

 spicuous. An attempt to describe the colours would be mere waste 

 of language. To appreciate the marvellous gradations of delicate 

 tints, the different varieties must be seen growing side by side. 

 But two points are worth mentioning the increase in size of the 

 blossoms, and the profuse habit of the plants. Formerly a stem 

 seldom carried more than two flowers ; now three are usual and 

 frequently there are four. 



On the decorative value of Sweet Peas in the garden we need not 

 dwell ; but for the adornment of vases and the numerous purposes 

 for which cut flowers are available, it may be observed that they 

 possess all the requisite qualities firm slender footstalks, brilliant 

 and varied colours, exquisite grace, and delicious perfume. 



Spring sowing is usual, and will continue to be generally practised, 

 but those who have the courage to adopt autumn sowing will be 

 rewarded with an earlier display of bloom, more vigorous growth, and 

 finer flowers. In the majority of gardens seed should be sown in 

 February or March, followed by one or two successional sowings at 

 intervals of a fortnight for insuring a prolonged supply of this flower 

 far into autumnal days. Even in small gardens, where only a few 

 clumps can be grown, it is unwise to depend on a single sowing. By 

 a succession of sowings the risk of total loss is avoided. A sowing 

 in September or October will insure a fine show of bloom in 

 advance of the display from the earliest spring sowing. 



Sweet Peas have two principal foes, the slug and the sparrow. 

 Against the former the usual precautions, such as ashes, soot, lime, 

 and various traps, are available ; and the latter must by some means 

 be prevented from doing mischief. After the buds show through 

 the soil, it is generally too late for the adoption of remedies. Nearly 

 all the heads will be found nipped off and laid ready for inspection. 

 One could almost forgive the marauders were food the object, but 

 the birds appear to commit havoc from pure wantonness, and in 

 the absence of precautions whole rows are sometimes destroyed in a 

 single morning. 



When two or three inches high supports should be given, and 

 these may be primitive or decorative, according to the will and pocket 

 of the cultivator. The blooming period can be prolonged by the 

 simple expedient of daily removing the newly formed seed-pods, a 

 task in which children take delight for a time. The ripening of 

 only a few seed-pods speedily puts a stop to flowering. 



275 T2 



