THE SWEET PEA 177 



must be brought towards the outside of the sticks, so that they 

 can derive the fullest benefit from sunlight and air. In some 

 instances where there is any difficulty in inducing the shoot to 

 keep in position, it can be tied to a stick. 



As the buds form it will be necessary to apply frequent doses 

 of weak liquid manure. Soot water is an excellent fertiliser. It 

 is easily prepared, and if care has been taken to store the soot in 

 a dry place for several weeks there need be no hesitation about 

 using it. Weak solutions of nitrate of soda may be also used as a 

 fertiliser, while a surface mulching of short manure will be found 

 of the utmost value for keeping the plants in a vigorous condition. 

 While supplying necessary food, the mulching also keeps the soil 

 moist and dispenses with the too frequent use of the watering-pot. 



In hot, dry weather it will be necessary to give water to the 

 plants. When this is done, see that it is done thoroughly. No 

 mere dribble will accomplish any good. It is better to give a 

 heavy soaking twice a week than a sprinkling twice a day. A 

 good plan so as to ensure that the water may reach the roots is to 

 drill holes about nine inches from the base of the plants, and into 

 these pour water again and again until you are satisfied that the 

 moisture has gone down to a good depth below the roots of the 

 peas. Soft rain water is always safe, whereas service water may 

 contain something which the plants do not like, and, as is fre- 

 quently the case, do more harm than good. If service water only 

 is available it should be exposed to the sun and air for twenty -four 

 hours before being used. After watering, there is often a tendency 

 for the surface of the soil to become hard and caked. This should 

 not be allowed. Stir frequently with a Dutch hoe to keep the 

 surface soil open. **" 



In a nTRinFlRson sweet peas sown out of doors in March will 

 bloom towards the middle of June. Everybody knows that if 

 the sweet pea be allowed to run to seed the flowering period will 

 be brought to an untimely end, but the lesson needs to be em- 

 phasised. It is a good rule to attend to picking every day, either 

 in the early morning or in the evening. If this operation be 

 faithfully performed the flowers will reward you both by their 



