CHAPTER V 



Sweet Peas in the Chicago Region 



The cultivation of Winter-flowering Sweet Peas 

 during the past few years has grown to large proportions 

 in the vicinity of the Chicago wholesale cut flower market. 

 Their cultivation is widely diffused; nearly all the growers 

 produce more or less stock. There are some, of course, who 

 make a specialty of them and have had their greenhouses 

 built so as to conform to the requirements of the crop. 

 There are also some growers who give them pre-eminence 

 above all other stock. There are still some who make a 

 specialty of Chrysanthemums and Sweet Peas and grow 

 nothing else. In that case, the Peas follow the Chrysan- 

 themums in the Fall, and generally last on the benches 

 unti' the planting season for Chrysanthemums comes 

 around again. 



There is a general periodicity in the sowing of \\ inter- 

 flowering Sweet Pea seed, except among those who make a 

 specialty of them. These usually plant in July, which 

 is necessary to secure a crop to begin blooming by Thanks- 

 giving and continue through the Midwinter months when 

 these flowers bring the highest market price. When the 

 grower is depending on this crop exclusively, he has to have 

 the flowers in bloom when highest prices are paid, to make 

 it profitable. The grower who cultivates them in con- 

 nection with other crops can afford to take chances on what 

 the crops will bring when he is depending on neither one 

 solely for his returns. 



