84 PEAS AND PEA CULTURE 



Do not SOW the seed less than two inches deep, 

 and even three and four inches gives good results. 

 When the young plants begin to grow and reach a 

 height of three to six inches, it is easy enough to 

 draw more soil to them to strengthen the stalks and 

 keep the roots cool through the hot summer. An 

 ounce of seed will sow about 15 feet in a row. Later 

 thin out the plants to five to six inches. This will 

 give better results, for if the plants stand too thick 

 the vine growth will be dwarfed and flowers in pro- 

 portion. 



The methods of the sweet pea enthusiast, Rev. 

 W. T. Hutchings. formerly of Massachusetts, now 

 of Colorado, is interesting. He figures on the plants 

 standing five inches apart in the row. To make sure 

 of each plant coming, he puts the seed into separate 

 papers and buries the packets for about a week in 

 an inch of dirt. Then he selects the seed that has 

 germinated first, and plants it as indicated. This 

 gives an even stand and he knows exactly what to 

 expect. His method is of special importance where 

 seed is high priced. In ordinary practice amateurs 

 sow sweet peas just about the same as they would 

 ordinary garden sorts. 



Culture. — The hoe and plenty of elbow grease 

 back of it will be repaid many-fold through extra 

 growth, size, and desirable bloom. The sweet pea 

 is not unlike other plants in this respect, for fre- 

 quent stirring of the soil conserves moisture and 

 opens up the soil to the action of the elements. In 

 hot, dry seasons many provide mulching in the form 

 of straw, swale grass, or coarse stable manure. This 

 may be made even more successful by thorough 

 watering occasionally. 



