GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY PLANTS 159 



gradually filling more greenhouse space year by year and its cultiva- 

 tion is by no means diflficult if a few don'ts are kept in mind. 



The demand for Sweet Peas is greatest in the Winter months; 

 therefore, the house chosen for the purpose should be so constructed 

 as to catch the maximum amount of sunshine. It is not possible for 

 every establishment to have a house with a long span to the south 

 on the side of a hill; a structure of this character is peculiarly well 

 fitted for the best development of this plant, but satisfactory flowers 

 can be produced in other less favored structures. In the formation 

 of the beds perhaps the best method is to have them raised above the 

 alleys to a height of 8 or 10 inches. The beds may be from 4 to 6 

 feet wide, running east and west, and the rows arranged crosswise 

 in the beds. This plan gives the best opportunity for the sun to 

 play on every part of the plant for a portion of the day. Water 

 should be applied between the rows partly to encourage the roots 

 to grow in a horizontal direction. When gathering the flowers, 

 boards should be used on which to stand, thus preventing puddling 

 of the soil. The most suitable varieties must be left to the judg- 

 ment of the grower. The period between sowing the seed and the 

 flowering stage is from two and one-half to three months. In sowing 

 the seed rapid germination is secured by placing the seed in water 

 until it begins to swell; sow in drills and cover with sand. Four to 6 

 inches apart is a safe distance. The tall varieties should be sown 

 at the north side of the house, the dwarfer varieties toward the south. 

 In no case should the rows be less than 4 feet apart. A sharp lookout 

 should be maintained to prevent red spider from gaining a foothold. 

 The Sweet Pea is prone to the attacks of this pest, especially when 

 high temperatures are maintained and the soil becomes dry. Syring- 

 ing during the early part of the day when the soil is on the dry 

 side is the only safe remedy when this pest has secured a standing. 

 Green fly is kept in check by fumigating. Supports for the vines 

 must be provided before the plants have got beyond the seedling 

 stage. The flowers should be cut as soon as they are in a marketable 

 stage and the seed pods removed as soon as they appear. (For out- 

 door culture, see page 238.) 



TETRANEMA. T. mexicanum is the only species cultivated 

 and is commonly known as the Mexican Foxglove. It is not very 

 often that we see such beautiful plants running wild all over the out- 

 of-the-way places in greenhouses as we do in this species. It pro- 

 duces seeds in abundance, and it can be grown on the north side of 

 a building in Summer until frost. It is much used with other things 

 in hanging baskets and in window boxes. 



