The Book of Annuals 121 



* SWEET PEA 

 Lathyrus odoratus 



The sweet pea should have, and is well worthy of, 

 a generous portion of the garden to itself. 



Cultivate the soil deeply, above all things, and in- 

 sure abundant moisture. Train the vines on brush, 

 preferably, to prevent their burning, but wire mesh 

 will serve and is more sightly and durable. 



Sow seeds in March (except white-seeded varieties, 

 which should go in in April) an inch apart in a trench 

 eight inches deep, on fine soil, covering with an inch 

 of soil and gradually filling in trench as seedlings ap- 

 pear and increase in height. A very common mistake 

 is sowing too thick. Expert growers thin seedlings to 

 six inches apart. 



Constant cutting insures the maximum of bloom. 

 Give plenty of water. 



Color: various. 

 Height : five to six feet. 

 Period of Bloom: July to September. 

 Location: moderately rich and deeply worked soil; 

 open sun. 



