112 



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RELIABLE FLOWER SEEDS, 



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Orchid-flowered Sweet Peas Hercules 



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 other characteristic 

 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 



fully 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 or 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 nmning to seed, which would stop them from continuing 



in bloom. 



Elarly Flowering Orchid or Spencer 

 Sweet Peas 



This new type is receiving 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 bloom over a period of nearly four months. We offer the follow- 

 ing carefully selected varieties. We also offer with other Specialties on 

 pages 52 to 62 a number of the latest introductions of this valuable type. 



4262 Early Irene. A lovely clear lavender. 



4264 Early Illumination. Brilliant salmony cerise. 



4266 Early Mrs. A. A. Skach. A beautiful rich pink. 



4269 Early Rose Queen. A popular soft rose-pink forcing sort. 



4272 Early True Blue. Rich mid-blue. 



4273 Early Zvolanek's Rose. Rich rose. 



4252 Early Aviator. Dazzling crimson-scarlet. 



4253 Early Blanche Ferry or Christmas Pink. The most 

 popular of all; flowers pink and white. Very large and wavy. 



4254 Early Blue Bird. A splendid rich, deep blue. 



4255 Early All White. Largest and finest pure white. 



4256 Early Cream, or Meadow Lark. Primrose yellow. 

 4261 Early Helen Lewis, or Morning Star. Rich, rosy 



salmon. 



Price. Any of the above 10 cts. per pkt.; 60 cts. per oz.; SI. 75 per J lb. 

 4279 Collection of a packet each of the above 12 choice varieties, $1.00. 

 4277 Collection of one ounce each of the above 12 choice varieties, S5.25. 

 4276 Early Flowering Orchid Mixed. A splendid mixture, containing all colors. 10 cts. per pkt.; 50 cts. per oz 



$5.00 per lb. 



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



$1.50 per Jib.; 



