Hardy and Half-hardy Plants 105 



on the market are Dorothy Eckford, white, plain standard; Lord Nelson, 

 blue, plain; Lady Grizel Hamilton, lavender, hooded; Mrs. Walter Wright, 

 mauve, plain; Countess Spencer, pink, waved; Queen Alexandra, scarlet, 

 plain; King Edward VII, crimson, plain; Prince of Wales, rose, plain; 

 John Ingman, carmine, waved; Boltoris Pink, bright pink, plain; Clara 

 Curtis, bright cream, waved; Coccinea, cerise, plain; Etta Dyke, white, 

 waved; Evelyn Byatt, orange, plain; Frank Dolby, lavender, waved; 

 Gladys Unwin, pink, waved; Helen Lewis, orange, waved; Miss Willmott, 

 orange pink, plain; Mrs. Hardcastle Sykes, blush, waved; Nora Unwin, 

 white, waved; Mrs. C. W. Breadmore, cream, rosy edged, waved; and 

 Constance Oliver, cream pink, From this list it will be gathered that 

 the market grower still retains many of the older varieties which the 

 amateur and the exhibitor have practically discarded some time since. 



In the cultivation of Sweet Peas for market two points must always 

 be kept in mind. These are: (1) that the production of early flowers is 

 essential if good prices are to be obtained, because after the second week 

 in July every garden has its quota of these elegant and fragrant flowers, 

 consequently the demand slackens; and (2) that there is a limited demand 

 throughout the season for flowers of the highest quality carried on long, 

 stout stems. 



Some growers put all their energy into the production of early blooms, 

 and as soon as the prices for flowers drop, they clear out the Sweet Peas 

 and follow them quickly with another crop. A few growers possessing 

 sheltered and early land, and following a high system of culture, obtain 

 early flowers, and, according to season, begin to market flowers late in 

 May or early in June, and they manage to keep up a supply of high- 

 class flowers throughout the season by the regular removal of old flowering 

 stems and the encouragement of new ones. It is doubtful, however, 

 whether it pays to keep Sweet Peas going for market purposes after 

 August Bank Holiday, unless some handy holiday resort needs consider- 

 able supplies. 



Covent Garden prices show plainly that the demand in the metropolis 

 falls off considerably by the beginning of August. During the years 1909 

 and 1910 the average rates per dozen bunches during the last week of 

 May have been from 2s. Qd. to 6s.; first week in June, 2s. to 6s.; second 

 week in June, 2s. to 6s.; third week in June, 2s. to 5s.; fourth week in 

 June, 2s. to 5s.; first week in July, Is. 6d. to 4s.: second week in July, 

 Is. 6d. to 3s. Qd.\ third week in July, Is. 6d. to 3s.; fourth week in July, 

 Is. to 2s. 6d; first week in August, Is. to 2s. 



Spring sowing out-of-doors is distinctly not the method to follow for 

 flower production for market, because the flowers do not come early enough, 

 nor do the roots strike deep enough to carry the plants safely over a dry 

 period during the flowering season. Autumn sowing, following a quick 

 crop for which the ground has been thoroughly well worked and manured, 

 is the plan to follow where the soil and situation are suitable. Suitability 

 in this instance resolves itself into well-drained soil of medium or lightish 



