CHAPTER VI 



Varieties* 



The matter of varieties deserves close attention." We 

 want free-flowering, vigorous, healthy kinds. What each 

 man's special market calls for, especially as regards color, is 

 for him to discover. There are also seasonal demands 

 for special colors: in New York, for example, whites and 

 lavenders give way to the brighter colors, such as reds 

 and pinks, at Christmas. As a rule, good rose pink Peas, 

 also pure white and the lavender colors, are general 

 favorites in all sections. When we can offer a Winter 

 Spencer of the color of the new Robert Sydenham 

 variety, which is a Summer bloomer, one ventures to think 

 the fortunate first owner will make money by it. The 

 color of this is a clear, translucent, orange coral. Such a 

 color would be very rich and effective for a table decora- 

 tion, unless the color alters under artificial light. In any 

 case, the raisers will likely enough in time add these colors 

 to the prevailing list of today. The coming of Zvolanek's 

 Apricot Orchid has brought us appreciably nearer. 



The new pink Yarrawa is at present much in demand, 

 not only because of its delightful soft rose color, but also 

 because of its distinct vigor and the lengthy period during 

 which it throws up its long-stemmed, much-waved or 

 fluted flowers. It is unfortunate that so much of the Cali- 

 fornian seed stock of this variety should have been lost in 

 the first year of its introduction. Anita Wehrman, clear 

 lavender; and Pittet's Rose Queen, a very free and early 

 pink, are also in the front rank of novelties. 



* In this book the term "Winter-flowering" is synonymous with "early-flower- 

 ing." This strain of Sweet Pea can also be employed for Summer-flowering, but the 

 varieties do not last so long then as the recognized Summer-flowering types. 



