112 





RELIABLE FLOWER SEEDS, 



n 



Orchid-flowered Sweet Peas Hercules 



4233 

 4234 

 4236 



4237 

 4239 

 4241 



4268 

 4269 

 4270 



Dreer's Select 



SWEET PEAS 



There are hundreds of Early and Summer-flowering Orchid-flowered 

 varieties of Sweet Peas, many of which are practically identical and still 

 others which lack either size, purity of color, vigor or some other charac- 

 teristic which all first-class sorts should have. It would be an easy matter 

 for us to greatly extend our list, but we think it best to confine our offers to 

 such sorts as are really first class, and every variety we offer is entitled to 

 a place in the front rank of Sweet Peas. In addition to the splendid list of 

 Orchid-flowered sorts offered on the next page we also offer the best recent 

 introductions of both the early-flowering and the regular type, which are 

 fully described with other Specialties on pages 52 to 62. 



How^ to Grow Sweet Peas 



The soil for Sweet Peas should be rich and deep. A good rich loam, with 



plenty of well-rotted manure in it, is the ideal soil for raising good plants 



that will produce plenty of blooms of good substance. Considerable 



benefit has been noted from the use of Inoculating Culture. We can 



supply a special culture for Sweet Peas for 35 cts. per bottle, 



enough for any ordinary garden. They should be in a position 



fiilly exposed to the sunlight and air on both sides of the row. 



Much depends upon the state of the weather as to when the seed 

 may be sown out of doors, but they should be sown as early in the 

 season as the ground can be worked, which is usually between the 

 middle of March and the middle of April in the latitude 

 of Philadelphia. It is best to make a trench or furrow 

 about 6 inches deep, in the bottom of which sow the 

 seed. Cover with about an inch of soil, pressing it down 

 firmly. As soon as they are above ground thin out to 

 2 to 4 inches apart; when planted too close they do not 

 attain their full development. They should be staked 

 up either with branches of brush or stout stakes on 

 which wire netting has been fastened. These should be 

 at least 4 feet high, and 5 feet would be better. It is 

 just as well to do the staking at the time of sowing. 

 During dry weather they should be watered thoroughly 

 and frequently. The flowers should be cut as often as 

 possible to prevent the plants from running to seed, 

 which would stop them from continuing in bloom. 



Early Flowering Orchid or Spericer 

 Sweet Peas 



This new type continues to receive great attention at the hands of the 

 leading hybridizers, and already nearly all colors are represented. They 

 are now very popular, and in great demand by commercial florists for 

 forcing under glass for Winter and early Spring blooming, but are just as 

 valuable for the amateur for outdoor culture, coming into flower five or 

 six weeks earlier than the regular orchid-flowered type, and if the flowers 

 are kept picked, continue to iloom over a period of nearly four months. 

 We offer the following carefully selected varieties. We also offer with 

 other Specialties on pages 52 to 62 a number of the latest introductions of 

 this valuable type. 



4243 Early Glitters. A sensational variety producing flowers of 

 enormous size of a glittering fiery orange, a strong grower. 



4246 Early Harmony. The finest clear lavender yet intro- 

 duced; flowers of largest size and nicely waved. 



4255 Early Rose Charm. A very large-flowering and beauti- 

 fully waved bright rose. 



4256 Early Rose Queen. A popiUar soft rose-pink forcing sort. 

 4261 Early True Blue. Rich mid-blue. 

 4263 Early Zvolanek's Rose. Rich rose. 



Early All Wliite . Largest and finest pure white. 

 Early Aviator. Dazzling crimson-scarlet. 

 Early Blanche Ferry or Christmas Pink. The popu- 

 lar pink and white. Very large and wavy. 

 Early Blue Bird. A splendid rich, deep blue. 

 Early Cream, or Meadow Lark. Primrose yellow. 

 Early Fair Maid. The best blush-pink early variety. 

 Identical in color to the popular Elfrida Pearson. 



Price. Any of the above 10 cts. per pkt.; 35 cts. per f oz.; 60 cts. per oz. 



Collection of a packet each of the above 12 choice varieties, $1.00. 



Collection of one ounce each of the above 12 choice varieties, $5.50. 



Early Flowering Orchid Mixed. A splendid mixture, containing all colors. 10 cts. per pkt.; 50 cts. per oz.; $1.50 per j lb.; 

 $5.00 per lb. 



INOCULATING CULTURE FOR SWEET PEAS. Price, 35 cts. per bottle, enough for a large planting. 



