CULTURE OF THE 

 SWEET PEA 



INTRODUCTION 



The ancients believed that diseases in 

 plants were induced by evil spirits. For 

 instance, the rust of wheat was thought by 

 the Romans to be caused by the evil spirit 

 Rubigo. The remedy then employed was 

 to frighten away the spirit by beating with 

 drums of various kinds. To-day, some 

 insist that all plant diseases are brought 

 about by conditions of environment such 

 as excessive sunshine, drought, rain or 

 dew. We may perhaps justify these views 

 when we consider that plants in their mute 

 way are unable to tell of their ailments. 

 The keen eye and the close observer, how- 



