<S WE E T PEA — S WA INS ON A 



403 



Sweet pea. — A hardy, tendril-climbing annual, universally prized 

 as an outdoor garden plant; also forced to some extent by florists. 

 On any occasion the sweet pea is in place. A bouquet of shaded colors, 

 with a few sprays of galium or the pereiniial gypsophila, makes one of 

 the choicest of table decorations. 



Deep, mellow soil, early planting, and heavy mulching suit 

 them admirably. It is easy to make soils too rich in nitrogen for 

 sweet peas; in such case, they will run to vine at the expense of 

 flowers. 



Sow the seeds as soon as the ground is fit to work in the spring, 

 making a drill 5 inches deep. Sow thickly and cover with 2 

 inches of earth. When the plants have made 2 or 3 inches' 

 growth above the earth, fill the drill nearly full, leaving a slight de- 

 pression in which water may be caught. After the soil is thoroughly 

 soaked with water, a good mulch will hold the moisture. To have the 

 ground ready in early spring, it is a good plan to trench the ground in 

 the fall. The top of the soil then dries out very quickly in spring and 

 is left in good physical condition. 



In the middle and southern states the seed may be planted in fall, 

 particularly in lighter soils. 



Frequent syringing with clear water will keep off the red spider that 

 often destroys the foliage, and attention to picking the seed pods 

 will lengthen the season of bloom. If the finest flowers are wanted, 

 do not let the plants stand less than 8 to 12 inches apart. 



A succession of sowings may be made at intervals through May 

 and June, and a fair fall crop secured if care is taken to water and 

 mulch ; but the best results will be secured with the very early plant- 

 ing. When the plants are watered, apply enough to soak the soil, 

 and do not water frequently. 



Swainsona. — This plant has been called the winter sweet pea, but 

 the flowers are not fragrant. It makes a very desirable house plant, 

 blooming through the late winter and early spring months. The blos- 

 soms, which resemble those of the pea, are borne in long racemes. The 

 foliage is finely cut, resembling small locust leaves, and adds to the 

 beauty of the plant, the whole effect being exceedingly graceful. 

 Swainsona may be grown from seed or cuttings. Cuttings taken in late 



