142 LATHYRUS 



LATH'YRUS continued. 



cotton thread about them. Early in the summer 

 give a mulching of manure. This is important, as 

 it keeps the roots moist during the hot weather. 

 A frequent application of liquid stable manure 

 during the flowering season increases the size and 

 quality of the blooms. Another good manure 

 which makes a wholesome change is 1 Ib. of guano 

 to 20 gallons of water. Sulphate of potash, 1 oz. 

 to the gallon of water, is also a good manure. Soot 

 water also helps to brighten the colour of the 

 flowers. Never give liquid manure, however, when 

 the ground is dry. 



Some people prefer to sow the seeds in pots. 

 In that case the pots must be washed clean and 

 well crocked, otherwise the young roots will stick 

 to the sides and get torn when turned out. Fill 

 the pots with fibry loam 3 parts, leaf mould 1 

 part, and old decayed manure 1 part, with a little 

 road grit or coarse sand. The seeds can then be 

 put in ^ in. deep, 5 seeds round a 5-in. pot. Label 

 them and water with clean water. The pots can 

 then be put on a shelf in a cool greenhouse or a 

 cold frame. When 3 ins. high put some besom 

 sticks round the pots to help support them, and 

 gradually inure them to the open air. Any time 

 in April the seedling can be shaken out of the pots, 

 separated with as little disturbance of the roots as 

 possible, and dibbled into the ground prepared for 

 them. Exhibitors put them 12 to 18 ins. apart. 



The seed-pods should always be picked ofi as 



