CUT-FLOWER CROPS 293 



406. Season for sowing seed. Sweet pea sowing is 

 usually commenced by the middle of August, and the 

 plants should be in flower by Thanksgiving, and continue 

 flowering during December and January. The first 

 flowers are usually the best. The second, and principal 

 planting, is made about the second week of September, 

 and the third and last planting, by the first of October. 

 In this way, a succession of blooms may be had until 

 the outdoor crops commence to flower. 



407. Seed sowing in soil. In sowing, a trench should 

 be made from one and one-half to two inches deep, and 

 about six to eight inches wide. The seed is thickly sown 

 in this, and the soil firmed over it. 



408. Supports. As soon as the young plants are 

 three or four inches high, some support is necessary. 

 The birch twigs or mesh wire may be used in the house, 

 but many growers support sweet peas by the use of 

 bamboo stakes and a double row of string. The string 

 is drawn tightly from post to post, at intervals of about 

 eight inches and the plants are tied to this. Whenever 

 possible, the strings are wound around the pipe posts 

 which support the roof. 



409. Watering. During the growing season, sweet 

 peas require an abundance of water. The plants should 

 be syringed frequently to prevent the not infrequent 

 attacks of the red-spider. 



410. Ventilation for sweet peas. The plants require 

 fresh air, but cold drafts should be avoided, for even 

 the slightest chilling induces mildew and a tendency of 

 the buds to drop. 



411. Feeding. The plants should be fertilized from 

 time to time, and for this, a very thin application of pul- 

 verized sheep or cow manure is recommended. Some 



