42 CULTURE OF THE SWEET PEA 



aster, strong stakes are sometimes placed 

 every ten feet and wire is run lengthwise 

 through the sticks and fastened to the 

 stakes. It is desirable to have the sticks 

 more bushy at the top than at the base, so 

 that they spread out more than at the base; 

 if not naturally so, leaning the sticks alter- 

 nately outward will produce this reSult. 

 This method gives greater freedom for the 

 vines when they are in flower. 



After the sticks are inserted, a better ef- 

 fect is produced if the tops are clipped to 

 a level and straggling ends are cut back. 

 If the sticks are not "feathered" suffi- 

 ciently at the base for the plants to start 

 up on them, the clippings from the tops 

 may be inserted between the tall sticks. 

 Some growers make a practice — and it is 

 a good one — of providing a light support 

 when the plants are one to three inches 

 high, and later placing the tall sticks. For 



