234 BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS 



sowing may be proceeded with. In case of doubt the cultivator 

 should compress a handful of soil from just below the surface in 

 his clenched hand, and then, relaxing the pressure and opening his 

 fingers, observe whether the soil clings closely, almost as putty 

 would, or falls away readily, leaving only a few moist particles 

 adhering. In the latter event the soil is in a suitable state for 



sowing. 



Whoever wishes to achieve real success in growing the beautiful 

 and fragrant Sweet Pea will devote special consideration to the 

 preparation of the site. Soil that is merely dug and manured in 

 the manner practised by cottagers for growing Cabbages will not 

 produce flowers of the finest quality for several consecutive months. 

 True, there are soils of such natural quality that they will grow 

 anything well, but they are few and far between, and even they 

 can be improved. 



First, however, a word as to site. There can be no doubt 

 that the Sweet Pea is influenced almost as much by climate as by 

 soil. It enjoys humidity. Wherever there is a choice of sites, 

 a cool, moist one should be preferred to a dry one. It is notice- 

 able that, taking one season and one show with another, growers 

 in the north of Great Britain do better than those in the south, 

 and those in the west better than those in the east. The moister 

 climate is partly accountable for this. We cannot all grow Sweet 

 Peas in the north and west ; many of us, unfortunately, have no 

 choice whatever as to site; but we may well keep the point before 

 us, and act upon it whenever opportunity permits. 



Deep cultivation plays an important part in the operations of 

 the most successful growers. They devote enormous care and 

 pains to the deepening and enrichment of the ground. This means 

 considerable labour, and some amount of expense ; but the one is 

 amply repaid, and the other fully recouped, by a few successes on 

 the show board. The ordinary grower he who cultivates merely 

 for a home supply of bloom will not go as far as the specialist ; 



