D. M. FERRY & CO., DETROIT, MICH. 87 



SWEET PEAS 



(Lathyrus odoratus) No garden is too small for a row of Sweet Peas and no estate, however extensive or magnificent, should 

 fail to include many varieties of this most popular flower. Its long blooming season usually extends from early summer 

 until very hot dry weather and no other climber equals it for cutting, either for use in bouquets or for table decoration. 



In describing floral structure, by the term "standard" is meant the wide petal at the top of the flower; the "wings" are the 

 two petals below. 



The Spencers are of exceptionally large size, the standard and wings waved or frilled and the general effect remarkably 

 graceful and attractive. The plants are of vigorous growth and remain in bloom for a longer time than the old Grandiflora 

 sorts. The Spencers are decidedly shy seeders, hence the price will doubtless always be higher than for the older types. 



Culture. Early in spring make a trench three to four inches deep in rich, mellow soil, so arranged that no water can stand 

 in it and plant the seed in the bottom, covering at first only one inch deep. Sweet Peas, particularly the white seeded sorts, are 

 often a little difficult to start. If the soil is too dry they will remain a long time without germinating; if it is too wet and cold 

 they will not sprout at all. In soils at all heavy, or composed largely of clay, put about one inch of sand in the bottom of the 

 trench and sow the seed on this, covering with more sand. Cover the row with a board to shed the rain and protect the soil from 

 the hot sun but remove this as soon as the young plants appear. 



When the plants are two inches high, cultivate and as they grow gradually fill up the trench. When the plants are about five 

 inches high it is desirable to furnisli some support for the vines to run upon, preferably a wire netting firmly supported by stakes 

 to prevent sagging, but strings or brush are often used with satisfactory results. 



The essentials for the largest and most finely formed flowers are as follows: 



Planting as early in spring as possible, deep spading or plowing; the placing of manure in the bottom of the trenches to 

 draw the roots downward; a sunny situation with the rows where possible running north and south, the removal in the 

 early stages of growth of all but two brandies and thinning the plants to not less than eight inches apart in the rows. 



The roots should not be allowed to become too dry. Water applied thoroughly once or twice a week, preferably early 

 in the morning or in the evening, is usually better than light sprinkling more frequently. 



If the flower stems become shortened, an application of manure water will aid materially in keeping them long. This 

 should follow a rain or thorough watering. If applied when ground is hot and dry, burning or serious injury will usually result. 

 The blooms should be picked before they form pods or the plants will soon stop flowering. 



Fall Planting. A better growth of vines and earlier blooming often result from planting seed in the fall instead of early 

 spring. If a well drained sandy soil is selected this method may usually be depended upon to give satisfactory results even 

 in the Northern states. 



Preparation of the soil is the same as that for spring planting. The seeds should be sown about an inch or two apart in 

 rows about three inches deep, and firmly covered with soil which should be somewhat ridged above the rows to improve 

 drainage. The most important point in fall planting of Sweet Peas is to plant late enough so that plants will not appear above 

 the surface of the soil before freezing weather sets in. Plantings are usually made in the latitude of Detroit from the 1st to 

 the 15th of November. After the ground freezes the rows should be covered with a mulch of litter or manure. Upon approach 

 of warm weather in the spring the rows should be examined and if plants have started the mulch may be removed either wholly 

 or in part, leaving it between the rows or near at hand so that it may be replaced in case of a cold wave or sudden change 

 of temperature. 



For the aphis or plant louse, spraying with solutions of some tobacco extract or whale-oil soap is usually effective; and 

 for the Red Spider, which also causes trouble at times, spraying with pure water is usually sufficient. A frequent change 

 of location has also been found important. , 



Especial attention is directed to the desirability of the Early Flowering Spencers for early outdoor planting. In localities 

 where the hot sun of early summer makes it difficult to obtain satisfactory results with the Late Spencers, it will prove of 

 advantage to plant the Early Flowering sorts. The flowering date of this class is so much earlier that they will produce an 

 abundance of good blooms before being checked by the heat. 



A full assortment of colors is now available in this class, either through the selection of the named varieties we offer or in the 

 use of our Early Flowering Spencers Mixed. If the results you have had with the later sorts have been disappointing, we 

 suggest that you give these a trial. One ounce of seed is sufficient to plant a single row of 50 feet. 



EARLY FLOWERING SPENCER VARIETIES 



A comparatively new class of Sweet Peas that is rapidly becoming very popular for winter flowering indoors. The floweri 

 are large, of the same form as the Spencers and are beautifully waved or frilled. They remain in bloom for a much longer time 

 than the Early Flowering Grandiflora sorts. When planted out of doors they will commence blooming a month or more earlier 

 than the later flowering varieties planted at the same time. 



EARLY AVIATOR. Brilliant crimson flowers of large size EARLY SNOW FLAKE. An early flowering white variety of 

 and fine form. Sunproof. Pkt. 10c; Oz. 60c; 54 Lb. $1.75 distinctive merit. The blossoms are large, of the best Spen- 



.,, cer form and are borne in prof usion on long stems. Pkt 10c 



EARLY BLANCHE FERRY. An attractive bicolor with rose Oz. 60c- J4 Lb. $ 1 75 B rut. iwe. 



pink standard and wings white or slightly tinged with pink. .....v,,'™,.....,. ,,, . , ,. .... 



Similar to the well known late flowering Blanche Ferry. EARLY SPRINGSONG. Warm rose pink tinged with salmon. 

 Pkf in,-- Or fiOr-V„ 1 h Si 71 Flowers large and of fine form. This is a new variety of 



Pkt. 10c, Oz. oOc. A Lb. 51.75 extraordinary beauty. Pkt. 10c; Oz. 90c; 2 Oz. $1.50 



EARLY BLUE BIRD. A very attractive shade of bright sil- EARLY SUPERIOR PINK. Clear pink flowers of extra size, 

 very blue. Flowers become somewhat flaked with a deeper p^t. lOc; Oz 60c- Vi Lb. $1.75 

 shade of blue as they age. Pkt. 10c; Oz. 60c; 54 Lb. $1.75 ciDivimir.M ' t t„^„ i .. j * ... 



EARLY VULCAN. Intense scarlet red, perfectly sunproof. 



EARLY COLUMBIA. Standard rose pink, wings creamy Produces freely on long stems. Pkt. 10c; Oz. 75c; \i Lb. $2.00 

 white tinged with pink. Pkt. 10c; Oz. 60c; M Lb. $1.75 EARLY WHITE HARMONY. A new variety of special merit. 



EARLY ELDORADO. Ruddy orange with wings of softer Flowers are very large and of splendid substance. Pure white* 

 shade. Pkt. 10c; Oz. 90c; 2 Oz. $1.50 becoming slightly flushed with blush pink or lavender when 



past their prime. Pkt. 10c; Oz». 75c; y 4 Lb. $2.00 



EARLY GLITTERS. Fiery orange-scarlet with wings of a EARLY ZVOLANEK'S ROSE Rich rose r>ink The flnwnrn 

 deeper shade. Unsurpassed in brilliancy of color when used "trelarst and" are traduced on stem? of ^F^thmTJS 

 under artificial light. Pkt. 10c; Oz. 60c; H Lb. $1.75 0z ^It ^ Lb. $1.75 ! 



EARLY HARMONY. A pleasing shade of lavender. Flowers EARLY FLOWERING SPENCERS MIXED. A choice mixture 

 of large size and borne on long stems. Pkt, 10c; Oz. 60c; of the aforementioned Early Flowering Spencer varieties 

 •4 Lb. $1.75 Pkt 10c; Oz. 50c; M Lb. $1.50 



