I Say: Sow Sweet Peas in the Fall for Early Bloom 



Vj. W. K..LK.K., President American Sweet Pea Society 



[Editor's Note: Quiet but potent influences work wonderful changes in living things as time rolls on. Sometimes the evidences are external, 

 and readily observed, at other times they are far more subtle, resulting in changes of the internal vital -processes. In the Sweet Pea internal changes 

 have been very remarkable. The Spencer or large flowered type suddenly loomed into being, the plant otherwise being the same as of old; so also 

 the Early-flowering habit crept up and after being recognised gives the start to a Winter-flowering or Early strain which differs from the family 

 in thai one thing. As a result Sweet Pea growing is revolutionized.] 



OWhy should Sweet Peas be sown 

 in the fall instead of spring? A. 

 m Because results are so much better. 

 Q. Why are results so much bet- 

 ter from fall sowing? A. Because the plants 

 make a much stronger root growth under ideal 

 conditions, come into flower several weeks earlier 



A comparison of root development. Fall sown Sweet Peas 

 make a greater growth ana can better withstand drought 



than from sowings made in spring, and give a 

 much longer season of bloom. 



\ X7HEN sowing is delayed until spring it 

 * * often happens that owing to weather and 

 soil conditions we are not able to get on to the 

 ground until well into April. What is the sequel ? 

 The seed may germinate quickly; but, toward 

 the end of May and during June, when we 

 usually have a spell of hot weather, the 

 plants may be six to nine inches in height and 

 the roots may have penetrated the soil to the 

 depth of six inches — but what follows? The 



An early April view of Sweet Peas sown second week of 

 October, 1916, in frame. First flowers early in May 



plants if far enough advanced may rush into 

 flower, give a few small blooms, when, owing 

 to insufficient root growth, they are simply 

 cooked in the hot, dry weather, the plants 

 take on a sickly yellow hue, and in course, die. 

 What about our fall sown plants? Assum- 

 ing the seed is properly sown the plants will be 

 well rooted even previous to the winter frosts, 

 and although they may not make much top 

 growth during the mild periods of weather 

 which is usually sandwiched in between spells 

 of frost, say from December until March, yet 

 during all such periods root growth is taking 

 place, with the result that when mild weather 

 comes in March the plants may only be three 

 or four inches in height, but the roots will have 

 penetrated the soil to a depth of twelve inches 

 or more, and top growth then commences 

 in earnest. In this section (Philadelphia) 

 such plants will begin blooming during May. 

 If early varieties are used flowers may in early 

 seasons be cut by the end of April, and the 

 plants will continue blooming for many weeks. 



Ideal Method of Sowing 



'TpO THE best of my belief, and by the 

 A evidence of my own experiences, there is 

 no chance of failure by the following method. 



The ground has been well prepared by deep 

 digging (trench two feet deep if possible) and 

 thorough manuring, when cow or stable man- 

 ure, old garden refuse, etc., may be incorporated 

 quite liberally. Sow the seed during the 

 second week of October, covering not more 

 than two inches. Place boards, six to nine 

 inches wide, on edge along both sides of the 

 row, nine inches apart, make close at the ends. 

 This little Sweet Pea frame must be covered 

 later with glass, but the covering is not to be 

 put on until severe weather sets in, and is al- 

 ways removed during warm mild spells. The 

 seedlings will be three inches high before severe 

 freezing weather. A slight frost will not harm 

 them, and as Sweet Peas are impatient of any 

 coddling, they should have all the air possible 

 during mild weather, though it is well to 

 have them covered during periods of excessive 

 rains. The glass may be held in position by 

 broad headed nails under which the panes of 

 glass can be quickly placed. Or they may be 

 secured with string attached to tacks driven 

 into the boards. 



When the weather opens up remove the 

 glass entirely. This will be some time in 

 March. The boards should remain in place to 

 protect the plants from strong winds, but as a 

 rule they may be removed by the end of 

 March or early April, when the ground is 

 worked around the plants and supports of 

 brush, twine or wire trellis put in position that 

 the vines may receive no check in their future 

 development. 



The Sweet Pea frame can be later used to 

 cover early sowings of lettuce, or other 

 vegetables. 



Varieties for Fall Sowing 



~\ \ 7TTHIN the past few years a new race of 

 * * Sweet Peas has been developed, namely 

 the Early Flowering or Long Season Spencers. 

 This is the type best adapted for fall sowing, 

 beginning to bloom two or three weeks earlier 

 than the summer-flowering Spencers; and, 



47 



Frame, of wood sides and glass top covering the fall sown 

 Sweet Peas. Can be used in spring for vegetables 



when started in the fall, continues flowering 

 quite as long as the regular type. 



Among the best of the new Early Flowering 

 Spencer sorts I have tried out and can 

 thoroughly recommend are: 



Early Enchantress, rich rose-pink self; Early Pink Beauty, 

 large, soft pink; Early Primrose Beauty, cream, flushed pink; 

 Early Rosy-Morn, rose with crimson standard; Early Sankey, 

 large white self; Early King, crimson-scarlet self; Early Pink and 

 White, reddish-pink standard with blush white wings; Early 

 Loveliness, white, heavily bordered rich pink; Yarrawa, glowing 

 rose-pink with creamy base. 



If, in addition to the above, a few of the best of the regular 



Early Spencer plants shown on the left as they appeared 

 end of June,— been in flower since early May 



