112 |] |] -ATENRYA-DREER -PHITADELDHIA: DA 
SG) RELIABLE FLOWER SEEDS | 
Dreer’s Select 
SWEET PEAS 
There are hundreds of both Orchid-flowered and Grandiflora 
varieties of Sweet Peas, many of which-are practically identical and 
still others which lack either size, purity of color, vigor or some 
It would 
be an easy matter for us to greatly extend our list; but we think it 
other characteristic which all first-class sorts should have. 
ae 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 page opposite we also offer the very latest intro- 
ductions, which are fully described on page 61. 
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 sub- 
stance. Soils that are at all heavy are best dug in the autumn, and 
during the winter months a good dressing of hardwood ashes or air- 
slacked lime should be given it. ‘They should be in a positicn 
fully exposed to the sunlight and air on both sldes of the row. 
Much depends on 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 six inches deep, in the bottom of which 
ey sow the seed. Cover with about an inch of soil, 
J pressing it down firmly, As soon as they are above 
ground, thin out to two to four inches apart; when 
planted too close they do not attain their full de- 
velopment. 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 four feet high, and five 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, and given an applica- 
tion of liquid manure once a week, A mulch of 
hay or rakings from the lawn will be found bene- 
ficial during hot weather. 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. 
White-seeded varieties should not be sown until the ground is com- 
paratively dry and warm, If sown under cold, wet conditions, the 
seed is liable to rot. With few exceptions, Sweet Peas are black- 
seeded, and these do not appear to be affected like the white-seeded 
sorts. 
Dreer’s Select Grandifiora Sweet Peas 
The following are the very choicest grandiflora sorts—varieties 
that stand at the head of their respective color and that have the en- 
dorsement of the leading American and European specialists—and it 
would be impossible to select a similar list out of the vast number of 
grandiflora sorts that would combine in the same degree all the quali- 
ties which go to make up first-class varieties. 
JRCHID-FLOWERED Swert Pras CounTEss SPENCER 
4232 Aurora. Orange-rose, striped on a white ground. 4243 Janet Scott. A grand deep rich pink. 
4233 Black Knight. Very deep maroon, shaded black. 4244 King Edward VII. The finest crimson-scarlet. 
Blanche Ferry. The popular pink and white. 
4245 Lady Grisel Hamilton. A grand pale lavender. 
Dorothy Eckford. Magnificent pure white. 
4246 Lord Nelson. The richest deep navy-blue. 
4236 Flora Norton. The clearest bright blue. | 4247 Lovely. Soft shell-pink; a lovely shade. 
4237 Frank Dolby. A fine large wavy pale lavender-blue. 4251 Miss Willmott. Brilliant orange-pink; very large. 
4241 Gladys Unwin, Charming pale rose-pink with wavy | 4252 Mrs. Walter Wright. An exquisite shade of mauve. 
petals. 4253 Nora Unwin. A superb pure white with wavy petals. 
4242 Hon. Mrs. 8. Kenyon. The finest primrose-yellow. | 4254 Prima Donna. . A magnificent pure pink. 
Price. Any of the above, 5 cts. per pkt.; 15 cts. per oz.; 40 cts. per } Ib. 
4268 Collection of a packet each of the above 17 Select Grandiflora Sweet Peas for 50 cts. 
4269 Collection of one ounce each of the above 17 Select Grandiflora Sweet Peas for $1.75. 
4260 Dreer’s ‘‘Peerless’? Mixture. ‘This mixture con- | 4270 Cupid, Dwarf or Bedding Mixed. These form aline 
tains nothing but the finest grandifiora varieties blended 
with the greatest care so as to produce best color effect. 
5cts. per pkt.; 10 cts. per oz.; 30 cts. per $ lb.; $1.00 
per Ib. 
of emerald-green foliage a little over a foot wide and 6 
inches high, and from June until late summer are literally 
a sheet of bloom; the mixture contains all thecolors. 5 cts. 
per pkt.; 15 cts. per oz.; 50 cts. per } 1b.; $1.50 per Ib. 
Our “Peerless” Grandiflora Mixture and Orchid-flowered Mixed Sweet Peas are unsurpassed 
