ON SWEET PEAS 351 



then there is no disturbance of the ball of soil and roots 

 when planting time comes. The receptacles are put in a 

 frame or on a greenhouse shelf. Some exhibitors sow 

 in autumn, and keep the young plants almost dry through 

 the winter. Certainly the raiser must be very careful 

 not to keep the soil wet during the dull season. Others 

 sow in January or February. Hard-skinned seeds often 

 germinate slowly, and growers chip the shell with a 

 knife. 



Soil, Manure, and Planting. The plants raised in the 

 manner described are generally put into the open ground 

 in April. The soil should be prepared previously by 

 digging it two spades deep and incorporating a dressing 

 of decayed horse manure equal to from two to three 

 barrow-loads per square rod. Light soil should be pre- 

 pared in autumn, and heavy ground after the first severe 

 spell of frost. The surface should be left lumpy, and in 

 February a dressing of dry wood ashes, with super- 

 phosphate equal to seven pounds per square rod, may 

 be spread on. The soil will crumble after the spring 

 showers, and be ready for the seeds or plants in April. 

 If seeds are to be sown in rows, draw drills two inches 

 deep six feet apart ; if in clumps, draw circular drills 

 four to five feet across at intervals of a few feet. Young 

 and sturdy plants from pots or boxes may be set nine 

 inches apart. Some dry lime may be sprinkled round 

 them to keep slugs off. The grower should be careful 

 to get his plants sturdy by keeping them uncrowded 

 and near the glass, and he should plant them out as soon 

 after they show tendrils as possible. 



Sticks, Water, Stopping. -The sticks should be put 

 to the plants as soon as they start growing. They 

 should be sharpened, and forced well down a few 

 inches from the plants. In their early stages the plants 



