56 CULTURE OF THE SWEET PEA 



open and the top ones in bud. Those with 

 four flowers on a spike may be taken with 

 the two lower flowers open, the third flower 

 opening, and the topmost one in bud. 

 The flowers should be placed immediately 

 in cool water and removed to a cool, dark 

 room or cellar until they are packed. 

 Here they are left until the latest moment 

 consistent with their timely arrival at the 

 exhibition hall, not more than six or seven 

 hours if possible. 



When packing, the stems should be 

 squeezed in order to remove surplus water 

 and then wrapped in a strip of oiled paper. 

 Great care should be exercised not to get 

 water on the flowers. Each bunch should 

 be wrapped in tissue paper and the 

 bunches packed not too tightly as to crush 

 the flowers. 



Everything is necessary to insure the 

 prompt arrival of the flowers at the exhi- 



