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THE BOOK OF NATURE STUDY 



succession of blossoms. A deeply cultivated soil, well stocked 

 with plant food, and fairly retentive of moisture, is required for 

 the best results. The seeds may be sown either in circular clumps 

 or rows. In either case the soil is taken out to a depth of about 

 two inches, and the seeds are planted separately at a distance 

 apart of from two to three inches. They are covered with soil 

 to a depth of one inch. To protect them from attacks by birds, 

 pieces of black thread to which white feathers are fastened at 

 intervals should be stretched across the bed. Slugs are trouble- 

 some at the time the young plants show above ground, and a good 



FIG. 68. Sweet Peas. Sowing seeds in 

 drills. A, A, drills 14 in. wide, 2 in. 

 deep ; B, space between drills, 6 ft. 

 wide. 



FIG. 69. Sweet Peas. Sowing seeds 

 in clumps. A, A, circles drawn 

 42 in. in diameter ; B, circles 4 ft. 

 apart ; C, holes for seeds or plants. 



dressing of soot should therefore be given. As soon as the plants 

 are four inches high they must be supported with small twigs, 

 and when six or eight inches high they must be staked with 

 longer twigs (four feet or more in height). Drought is very 

 injurious, and it is therefore important to maintain a good sur- 

 face mulch with the hoe during the period of growth, and 

 to give a top dressing of rotted manure at the time of flower- 

 ing. There are numerous varieties. Among the best are : 

 Dorothy Eckford (white) ; Black Knight (bronze) ; Navy Blue, 

 Countess Cadogan and Lord Nelson (blue) ; Prima Donna, 

 King Edward, Mars and Adonis (pinks or reds) ; Henry Eckford 

 (orange). 



