12 



The Florists' Review 



Jdly 20, l&lff. 



been made. I explained my tntention 

 of collecting the hundred or more 

 species and then trying every possible 

 combination of cross. His encourage- 

 ment was a great help i,n the starting of 

 my work. 



From then on I collected all commer- 

 cial varieties and species of lathyrus, 

 mostly from European seed firms, and 

 then the wild species through the De- 

 partment of Seed and Plant Introduc- 

 tion at Washington. I continued this 



collection and last summer at Fordhook 

 I had upwards of fifty distinct species. 

 It was my intention to complete the 

 collection and gradually to attempt 

 every possible cross upon the sweet pea. 

 I discontinued the work, however, be- 

 cause of my father's illness and I have 

 not taken it up again since his death 

 last winter. But I hope to continue my 

 hobby within the next few years, for 

 I know the work to be productive of 

 pleasure if of nothing else. 



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SWEET PEA 



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TESTS TOLD 



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WHEN the American Sweet Pea So- 

 ciety was organized, the winter- 

 flowering sweet peas had already been 

 considerably developed, but their cul- 

 ture had not become general. The mar- 

 velous display of winter-flowering sweet 

 peas at the National Flower Show held 

 at Boston was a revelation to large 

 numbers of florists. Today, as a result 

 of this and of the work of the society, 

 the winter-flowering sweet peas have 

 taken their place among the leading 

 cut flower crops grown under glass. If 

 the actual returns were known, it is 

 quite probable that the value of this 

 flower would rank after roses and car- 

 nations. Not only is the value of the 

 crop large, but also the investment in 

 greenhouses specially constructed for 

 growing this crop, an investment that 

 represents a large sum and is annually 

 increasing. 



The recital of these facts will indi- 

 cate the firm conviction of many flo- 

 rists that the winter-flowering sweet 

 peas have become established in the 

 tastes of the flower-buying public. Let 

 us hope that in turn the growers them- 

 selves will recognize their duty in sup- 

 porting the society, which has done 

 80 much by means of exhibitions and 

 otherwise to advance the interests of 

 this flower. 



Evolution of Winter Peas. 



As previously stated, many varieties 

 were known when the society was or- 

 ganized, but these now are giving way 

 to better forms. The varieties first 

 sent out were of the old, open form, 

 with notched standards. Then came 

 the hooded varieties and, finally, the 

 present varieties of waved form. More- 

 over, the first varieties were white, pink 

 and white, and maroon with bluish 

 wings, but today we have practically 

 all the best colors found in the garden 

 type. No doubt if the amateurs were 

 as much interested in this type we 

 should see every color known in the 

 garden type. In the short space of 

 twenty years the varieties of winter- 

 flowering sweet peas have passed 

 through all the stages of evolution that 

 took place in the garden varieties dur- 

 ing 200 years. Even the winter-flower- 



Thls is the report of Professor A. C. Beal, 

 chairman of the nomenclature and trials com- 

 mittee of the American Sweet Tea Society, pre- 

 sented at the eighth annual exhibition and con- 

 vention of the society at Bar Harbor, Me., July 

 15, 191(J. 



ing Cupid is not a figment of the imagi- 

 nation, but a possibility, provided it 

 had any value at the present time. 



The new waved varieties for winter 

 flowering are making a decided impres- 

 sion, and we think, after seeing Yar- 

 rawa, that there may be some further 

 revelations among the new Australian 

 varieties now being offered. 



Tests of Yarrawa Varieties. 



Last winter we resumed our tests with 

 the varieties of this type and grew 

 about seventy varieties. These repre- 

 sented some unnamed seedlings, new 

 introductions and the best of the older 

 varieties. Although seed was not re- 

 ceived until October and the seed was 

 sown in pots, the results were such as 

 may be expected by persons who use 

 sweet peas to follow chrysanthemums. 

 The greenhouse used was well adapted 

 for the tests, as it was thoroughly mod- 

 ern, forty feet wide, with high side 

 walls and without benches. 



Eleven unnamed seedlings from A. C. 

 Zvolanek were a source of considerable 

 interest. Some have since been named. 

 Among them was Britannia, a large 

 waved flower with carmine standards 

 and Tyrian rose wings, the best red 

 variety we have ever seen in this type. 

 Heretofore red varieties have been dis- 

 tinctly inferior to those of other col- 

 ors, and this variety represents, there- 

 fore, a decided advance in this color. 



Zvolanek 's Seedlings. 



Mrs. Charles Zvolanek produces a 

 large, waved, lavender flower. Eidge- 

 way calls the color pale rose purple, 

 changing to a light mauvette. This 

 variety was one of the first to bloom 

 and was quite productive. 



No. 110, light pink, was a beautiful 

 soft rose-pink. The flower was large 

 and waved. The color should be a 

 pleasing one to the flower buyers. Un- 

 fortunately, the plants this year were 

 not perfectly healthy, and some flowers 

 with side notches were seen. We hope 

 to test it again, as we were pleased with 

 its fine color. It is worthy of trial. 



Servian Prince carries a large flower 

 with magenta standard and Rood's vio- 

 let wings. It is a conspicuous flower 

 when seen in the gr-eenhouse in mid- 

 winter. As it blooms among the first, 

 it is soon covered with many spikes of 

 flowers. 



Miss P. Roland has a large flower. 



with Venetian pink standards and rose- 

 pink wings. 



Orange Orchid is a large, waved va- 

 riety of a vivid geranium pink color,, 

 and is one of the most striking vari- 

 eties that have been sent out. This va- 

 riety was a center of interest wherever 

 shown and probably will rank after 

 Christmas Pink and Christmas Pink 

 Orchid as the finest of Zvolanek 's va- 

 rieties. 



Some of the other unnamed seedlings 

 are promising, and when some are fixed 

 they undoubtedly will be heard from. 



• Yarrawa continues a giant-flowered 

 variety. 



Outdoor Trials Reduced. 



It seems difficult to trace the origin 

 and history of some of the varieties 

 recently introduced. We shall have to 

 ask for further time to investigate 

 these. We hope to continue the trial* 

 again this winter and we think that 

 sufficient material will be ready to war- 

 rant a new and revised bulletin on win- 

 ter-flowering sweet peas. 



The outdoor trials were largely re- 

 duced in extent this year, as we have- 

 few samples from the dealers. Thi» 

 proved to be a blessing in disguise, 

 since our appropriations and financial 

 balances were so heavily cut this year. 

 We have had to reduce our labor on 

 the trial grounds more than one-half 

 and, consequently, we are not seeking 

 to extend our trials this year. No doubt 

 the next administration will favor more- 

 liberal maintenance appropriations. The- 

 cuts were not made because of any dis- 

 satisfaction, but the result of an at- 

 tempt to place all allowances under a 

 budget system. The legislature and the 

 people of New York may be depended 

 upon to remedy this matter when they 

 understand it. Consequently we are 

 looking forward to next year, when we 

 hope to resume all lines with renewed 

 energy. 



The Public's Appreciation. 



The interest of the people in flower* 

 is growing at a remarKable rate. This 

 summer we have 150 students registered 

 in floricultural courses at Cornell. Two- 

 thirds of these are regular college stu- 

 dents and the repiainder are summer- 

 school students. This is the largest 

 summer registration we have ever had, 

 and if the department of floriculture is- 

 to provide adequate instruction and 

 continue to grow and expand it will 

 need the support not only of the florist* 

 but also of the flower-loving public. 

 The experimental work should develop 

 simultaneously, so that we may increase 

 our knowledge of plants. 



This year our garden varieties of 

 sweet peas will come into bloom about 

 July 25, with but few flowers before 

 August 1, and, consequently, no re- 

 port can be made at this time. Notes- 

 will be made as usual, so that we shall 

 have a record of these varieties for 

 publication later. 



Cornell Latchstring Out. 



In closing, permit me to say that the 

 latchstring is always out. We shall be 

 pleased to see any of the members 

 whenever they visit Ithaca. Whether 

 you need our help or not, we shall be 

 glad to have your criticism and helpfuV 

 advice. We wish to thank all those 

 who have assisted us in our work and! 

 we hope they may feel justified in con- 

 tinuing their support in the future. 



