HOME PROJECTS 363 



HOME PROJECT 15 



GROWING SWEET PEAS 



Preparing soil and planting seed. For this project the 

 student should plan to grow at least one hundred feet of 

 sweet peas. These may be planted in one single row or sev- 

 eral rows, three and one-half feet apart. Such varieties as 

 Grandiflora and Spencer sweet peas may be secured for seed. 

 The seeds after being soaked for twenty-four hours should be 

 planted in a double row, about six inches apart and two 

 inches deep. The furrow in which the double row is to be 

 planted should be spaded up at least one foot deep. Finely 

 ground street sweepings or well-rotted manure should be 

 placed in the bottom of the furrow and slightly covered with 

 rich garden loam. Then with the handle of the rake, which 

 should be used to widen the furrows, two rows should be 

 drilled six inches apart in the furrow. In these rows the 

 seeds are sown, one, two, or three inches deep. They should 

 be covered with a hoe, care being taken to remove all stones 

 and hard earth from the surface. Firmly imbed the seeds in 

 the soil by walking on the drills. 



Early care. Sweet pea seeds may not appear to grow as 

 soon as one would expect, but if the seed is good and the soil 

 preparation and moisture right, they should sprout within the 

 week. If the cutworms appear, mix about three tablespoonfuls 

 of Paris green with a peck of bran, adding a little water to 

 make a mash. Scatter this around the young plants. It 

 quickly destroys the worms. The chickens must be shut up, 

 of course, and not allowed to eat this poison or scratch out 

 the young plants. 



