72 CULTURE OF THE SWEET PEA 



which it is said to supersede. The sam- 

 ples are planted alongside each other. 

 Trial ground rows are generally about ten 

 steps long, and a six-foot space is left be- 

 tween the rows. Each sample is given a 

 number which is recorded. If rogues ap- 

 pear, their percentage is noted. Improve- 

 ment in select stock seed is looked for and 

 a value put on each novelty. The trial 

 ground is an important part of^the equip- 

 ment of the seed farm, and too much study 

 and time cannot be given to it. Points to 

 be noted in judging a stock seed are the 

 size of flower, length of stem, number of 

 flowers on each stem, color, brightness and 

 lasting quality, texture of flower, vigor of 

 growth, length of blooming period, and 

 the amount of seed produced. 



The sweet pea is not an easy crop to irri- 

 gate and it can be done only with care 



