64 STAKING 



8 ft. tall can be used, and as they will have a heavy weight 

 of stem and leaf and flower growth to carry later on,, be 

 sure you insert the stakes very firmly. 



Wide meshed wire netting is still better, because it 

 does not obstruct so much light. This is much in favor 

 in many commercial establishments, being clean, neat, 

 handy to fix up, and if the plants should happen to get 

 higher than 8 ft., as many will, an extra belt of netting 

 can easily be run along the top. Stakes or poles 2 or 1Y2 

 in. in diameter should be inserted at intervals of 5 ft. apart 

 in the rows for the support of the netting, and, of course, 

 both sides of the row must be furnished with the netting, 

 leaving 6 in. between. The 2 in. mesh, costing about $5 

 for a roll of 150 ft. by 6 ft., is the cheapest and is satis- 

 factory. 



Thirdly, for Peas in houses, binder string is much em- 

 ployed. This is strung tightly from post to post at inter- 

 vals of 8 in., and the plants are tied thereto. This is 

 the most usual method of support, being the cheapest. 

 Strained wire " fences " or frames may also be adopted. 



Lastly, light bamboo stakes, as thick as one's little 

 finger, and 5 ft. to 8 ft. in height, form an admirable, 

 albeit expensive means of support for plants that are 

 grown on the single stem principle. The stakes cost $1.25 

 per 100, or a little over $10 per 1000. 



These canes are practically everlasting and need not 

 be inserted very deeply in the soil, but should be tied to 

 two horizontal, thin, strong laths, one at top and one at 

 bottom, these being nailed to strong upright posts at 

 intervals of 10 ft.; or they can be kept in position by hori- 

 zontal wires. (See page 63.) Do not use ordinary or 

 uncoated wire if that can be avoided, as it rusts, and may 

 be the cause of setting up a disease or disorder in the stem. 



