HISTORY AND EVOLUTION 33 



The seed may be sown in single or dou- 

 ble drills as described under fall-planting. 

 It is advisable to sow the seeds one or two 

 inches apart; if it is suspected that a good 

 germination will not result, more seed 

 should be sown. 



Thinning. Many persons do not thin 

 their plants, and in many cases the reason 

 that poor flowers are obtained is because 

 of overcrowding. On the other hand, the 

 practice of English gFowers of thinning 

 the plants so that they stand several inches 

 apart, will not bring successful results in 

 our climate. It is difficult to give instruc- 

 tions that will apply everywhere ; but un- 

 der conditions in New York state thinning 

 the plants so that they are from four to 

 six inches apart has given the best results. 



American sweet-pea growers almost in- 

 variably plant sweet peas in rows, but gar- 

 den lovers are advised to try the method 



