THE SWEET PEA. 61 



should never again plant in a deep trench and should be extremely 

 careful about earthing up ; early earthing is disastrous. The cut- 

 worm is a great pest, but he would not recommend the use of 

 salt ; he would plant lettuce to attract the worms from the Sweet 

 Peas or other crop, and use the thumb and finger ; this is the best 

 remedy. Eternal vigilance is necessary ; go over the rows at 

 least once, and better twice, a day. This is his method, and he 

 has taken many prizes in his day. Black shallow soil is best, 

 and he believes in firming it, as good flowers cannot be grown on 

 light soil without a great amount of attention. Be careful about 

 the seed, and don't expect to get good results from Eckford's seed 

 at first. He still believes in Sweet Peas, and thought Mr. Hutch- 

 ins had taken the highest position in regard to them. 



Joseph H. Woodford inquired what fertilizer to use and when 

 to apply it. 



Mr. Hutchins answered that it was always best to aim to get 

 the soil as fertile as possible. Use stable manure and trench, as 

 it is important to get the food into the ground and to deepen the 

 soil ; with eight inches of well-firmed soil above the manure or 

 compost you are pretty safe. Kever apply fertilizer in the 

 spring, but hold it over until fall. Commercial fertilizers, such 

 as phosphates, act rapidly ; these are not needed at first. He 

 would not apply wood ashes in the spring. Bone flour can be 

 used safely at almost any time. A New Haven florist puts four 

 inches of tobacco stems in the bottom of the trench, with good 

 results ; they contain a large amount of potash. 



Giving a list of the best sorts is very difficult, as it means 

 something different to the florist, the lady amateur, and the pocket- 

 book. 



In whites the best is Blanche Burpee, and this is what the 

 amateur wants. The Bride is the same. Emily Henderson is 

 better for cut flowers if you can get it to bloom freely. Mrs. 

 Sankey is good, but has rather gone by. 



In pink-whites use Blanche Perry. 



For rose pink. Prima Donna, Royal Robe, and Katherine Tracey. 



The best shaded pinks are Apple Blossom and Royal Rose. 



Of soft flesh pinks Gladstone has given place to Blushing 

 Beauty. 



For a peachy pink use Lovely ; this might be called a shell pink, 

 and possesses good qualities. 



