86 CULTURE OF THE SWEET PEA 



In order to divide the weight, wooden or 

 iron supports should be placed under the 

 upper wire every eight feet. 



After the sweet peas have been in bloom 

 for some time and begin to produce short 

 peduncles it is time to feed them a little. 

 The best food is liquid or pulverized cow 

 or sheep manure. It is doubtful if nitrate 

 of soda is beneficial then. During blos- 

 soming the house should not be fumigated 

 with hydrocyanic gas for although this 

 will destroy many insects it will also de- 

 stroy most of the buds which are forming. 



It is preferable to pick the flowers in the 

 afternoon, as at that time the greatest 

 number of flowers are open. Where thou- 

 sands of flowers are picked daily, the most 

 experienced help should go over the rows 

 first, picking only the best blossoms with 

 the longest peduncles, ten selected flowers 

 to a bunch. The second and less reliable 



