I 1 6 CULTIVATION FOR MARKET IN ENGLAND 



to 10'- ($2.50) per dozen bunches, according to the state 

 of the market. The ordinary short or medium-stemmed 

 samples at the same period never exceeded 4/- ($2), general- 

 ly 3/- {75 c -> or less. Very few growers, however, were 

 producing the giant samples, Lowe & Shawyer, and W. H. 

 Page being, perhaps, the only bona-fide market growers 

 who followed in the footsteps of the exhibiting specialists. 



The first named concern is unquestionably the largest 

 producer of the giant or exhibition sample of Sweet Pea 

 in that country for market cut bloom. Lowe & Shawyer's 

 first effort was made in 19 13 when they grew 25,000 plants, 

 but the next year the aiea was greatly extended, several 

 acres being devoted to the crop. To the ordinary mind 

 this may not appear a very great item, but when one 

 realizes that each plant is set out a foot apart, and that 

 most plants demand two 10-ft. bamboo stakes apiece, it 

 will be seen that this up-to-date method of Sweet Pea cul- 

 ture entails a considerable outlay. 



We shall briefly outline how the up-to-date grower 

 handles his crop, which, of course, is grown out of doors. 

 The system really originated with the amateur exhibitor. 

 The seed is sown between mid-October and the first week 

 in November, according to the district. In the North, 

 sowing is usually delayed until February, when seed, of 

 course, is raised in heat. The Autumn sowings are made 

 in coldframes; those with plenty of accommodation sow in 

 pots, others sow in fairly deep boxes. As soon as the 

 seedlings appear, the lights are kept off as much as possible, 

 and even during the severest weather nothing in the way 

 of coddling is attempted, otherwise the plants become 

 drawn. Ten degrees above zero is considered " severe 

 weather." 



If sown in pots six seeds are placed in a 5-in. pot and 



