ESSENTIALS TO SUCCESS 23 



production of numbers of flowers for the decoration of 

 the home. With the management of plants for exhibi- 

 tion blooms we have nothing here to do, since that phase 

 of Sweet Pea culture is most admirably treated upon by 

 Mr. Thomas Stevenson, head gardener at Woburn Place. 



The most important factor of all is soil, and no matter 

 what its nature may be, it is essential that it should be 

 brought into perfect physical condition by thorough tilling ; 

 it must also contain an abundant supply of readily available 

 food. The seeds must be sown thinly, and any thinning 

 that may be required must be done early. Supports must 

 be afforded the plants before they attain to a height of 

 four inches. Ample protection must be given them against 

 mice during the time the seeds are lying in the soil prior to 

 germination ; the seedlings, as they push their way through 

 the surface and until they are at least three inches high, 

 must be closely safeguarded against slugs ; and efficient 

 provision made to keep birds of all kinds from the young 

 plants, or they will pinch them back to a degree that will 

 cause the cultivator serious worry and result in more or 

 less unsatisfactory results, for the simple reason that no 

 strong stems will get away. After the plants have progressed 

 to such an extent that the permanent stakes or supports 

 are in position and buds are commencing to form, the 

 surface soil must be persistently cultivated with the hoe ; 

 in addition, it will be (desirable, and in some instances 



