54 CULTURE OF THE SWEET PEA 



Exhibiting Sweet Peas 



The foundation for success in raising 

 sweet peas for exhibition is laid the previ- 

 ous autumn in the thorough preparation 

 of the soil, followed by a careful selection 

 of varieties, thin planting, and liberal cul- 

 ture. In order that good flowers may be 

 obtained for exhibition, it is best to remove 

 all flowers about a week before the date 

 of the exhibition, and to allow only the 

 spikes with the longest stems to develop. 

 The size of the flowers may be increased at 

 this time by the use of ammonia or nitrate 

 of soda applied to the soil. 



All varieties subject to scorch or scald 

 should be shaded with cheesecloth or tif- 

 fany. If such varieties are planted to- 

 gether, the shading may be more easily ac- 

 complished. The varieties which have 

 orange in their coloration— that is, Henry 



