48 CULTURE OF THE SWEET PEA 



the proper length, and some smaller wire 

 for the rungs or cross wires. These, of 

 course, should never be over six feet high 

 or they would seldom be covered. The 

 arches can also be made complete, if de- 

 sired, by merely making the ladder long 

 enough and bending it into the form of 

 an arch. 



Cultivation 



Tillage. Sweet peas need frequent 

 cultivation. A loose dust mulch upon the 

 surface must be constantly maintained in 

 order to retain the moisture for the plants. 

 Amateurs often fail because they do not 

 cultivate their sweet peas, but depend 

 upon artificial watering, which will not 

 bring the same results as stirring the soil. 

 The surface should be kept loose with a 

 rake, and if this condition is maintained 

 there is usually little need of artificial 

 watering. 



