SWEET PEA—SWAINSONA 403 
Sweet pea. — A hardy, tendril-climbing annual, universally prized 
as an outdoor garden plant; also forced to some extent by florists. 
On any occasion the sweet pea isin place. A bouquet of shaded colors, 
with a few sprays of galium or the perennial gypsophila, makes one of 
the choicest of table decorations. 
Deep, mellow soil, early planting, and heavy mulching suit 
them admirably. It is easy to make soils too rich in nitrogen for 
sweet peas; in such case, they will run to vine at the expense of 
flowers. 
Sow the seeds as soon as the ground is fit to work in the spring, 
making a drill 5 inches deep. Sow thickly and cover with 2 
inches of earth. When the plants have made 2 or 3 inches’ 
growth above the earth, fill the drill nearly full, leaving a slight de- 
pression in which water may be caught. After the soil is thoroughly 
soaked with water, a good mulch will hold the moisture. To have the 
ground ready in early spring, it is a good plan to trench the ground in 
the fall. The top of the soil then dries out very quickly in spring and 
is left in good physical condition. 
In the middle and southern states the seed may be planted in fall, 
particularly in lighter soils. 
Frequent syringing with clear water will keep off the red spider that 
often destroys the foliage, and attention to picking the seed pods 
will lengthen the season of bloom. If the finest flowers are wanted, 
do not let the plants stand less than 8 to 12 inches apart. 
A succession of sowings may be made at intervals through May 
and June, and a fair fall crop secured if care is taken to water and 
mulch; but the best results will be secured with the very early plant- 
ing. When the plants are watered, apply enough to soak the soil, 
and do not water frequently. 
Swainsona. — This plant has been called the winter sweet pea, but 
the flowers are not fragrant. It makes a very desirable house plant, 
blooming through the late winter and early spring months. The blos- 
soms, which resemble those of the pea, are borne in long racemes. The 
foliage is finely cut, resembling small locust leaves, and adds to the 
beauty of the plant, the whole effect being exceedingly graceful. 
Swainsona may be grown from seed or cuttings. Cuttings taken in late 
