CHAPTER XIII 

 CULTURE OF SWEET PEAS FOR EXHIBITION 



BY THOMAS STEVENSON 



IN considering the subject of Sweet Peas for exhibition, I 

 am led to recall the circumstances of ten years ago. At 

 that time there certainly were classes for Peas at some of 

 the leading shows, but the exhibitors did not treat the 

 matter very seriously ; nor was it difficult to win prizes. 

 Even to-day the prizes are never very high, nor are there 

 large numbers of classes, but Sweet Pea growers are so 

 enthusiastic that the classes are well filled and Sweet Peas 

 occupy at least one-third of the space devoted to cut flowers, 

 and far outclass any other individual flower, not excepting 

 the Rose. All the time the exhibition is open an enthu- 

 siastic crowd may be seen round the exhibits, discuss- 

 ing the merits of each variety. This is not all, for when 

 travelling to or from the city by tram, train, or 'bus, one 

 can again hear the merits of every variety discussed, not by 

 one, but by scores of men, who seem to have only one end 

 in view, namely, the exhibiting of Peas. It may not be in 

 large, open competitions, but just a friendly affair arranged 



