JULY 163 



quirements of sweetpea culture. It has gotten 

 to be a florists' flower now, more's the pity ! 

 They are forced for Easter weddings, and they 

 are "improved" until only the scent remains. 

 Twisted, curled, they are said to "look like 

 orchids," as the last triumph of the special 

 breeds. Why should a sweetpea look like 

 an orchid ? Why not let the orchid look 

 like itself, and leave to the peas their 

 own delicate butterfly graces ? Was not that 

 flower already good enough of which Keats 

 said : 



" Here are sweetpeas, on tiptoe for a flight 

 With wings of gentle flush o'er delicate white, 

 And taper fingers catching at all things 

 To bind them all about with tiny rings." 



A proper sweetpea should have a wide 

 flaring, and daintly cloven standard, self- 

 coloured. Its wings should be broad, well 

 curved at base, and curved gently to meet the 

 stout keel. Three flowers only should be 

 grown on one stalk, When cut and they are 

 eminently a flower for cutting there should 

 be cut with them a few tips of their own foliage. 

 No other green should ever come near the 

 blossoms, which are like the dawn for purity of 



