The best method of raising young plants is to sow the seed Sowing 
soon after February 1st either in sandy soil or sand in gentle Seed 
heat. Pot off the young plants as soon as they can be handled into 
two-inch pots, shifting again into three-inch pots as size and root 
action demand. Guard against keeping the soil either too wet or 
too dry. Whether potted or grown in flats, Sweet Peas should 
be grown in cool temperature either in a greenhouse or heated 
frame where the thermometer does not fall below freezing point. 
When the plants are well rooted a slight freezing will do no 
harm, but tends to keep them hardy ; high temperature however, 
must be avoided or a weak soft growth will result subjecting 
them to attacks of mildew or green aphis, should the former put 
in an appearance, dust with sulphur using a good insecticide 
(Aphine for instance) to control the pest. Give abundance of 
air at all times when the weather permits, and as soon as possible 
transfer the plants to a cold-frame and expose them to the out- 
side air by removing the sash on all favorable occasions. 
Arrange to plant out as early in April as possible, subjecting J 'wanting 
the plants to a slight freezing in the frame a few days before Out 
planting takes place; this hardens them for the frosts they will 
have to endure later on. Choose a favorable day after the 
ground has been sufficiently dried out, levelling the soil over the 
trench prepared the previous fall. A good method is to plant 
a double row about fifteen inches apart spacing them about the 
same distance apart in the row. In planting, disentangle the 
roots and plant firm. It is advisable to water only enough to 
settle the soil thoroughly around the roots. Prepare for some 
protection for the plants for unusually cold weather, pine 
branches or straw will answer the purpose and covering by this 
method is speedily accomplished. Do not remove the covering 
after a heavy frost until the plants have thawed out, or the 
action of the sun 's rays will do far more damage than the actual 
freezing. After about ten days discontinue the covering entirely, 
and though growth seems slow, remember good root action is 
taking place and little attention is necessary for a week or two, 
an occasional cultivating being the only demand upon our time. 
By the end of April or early in May Sweet Peas demand Support 
constant attention ; supports are needed and thinning and dis- 
budding must on no account be neglected. For support I have 
found good brush, at least six feet in length, one of the best 
when properly used and superior to bamboo canes. Sharpen the 
ends to avoid breaking the roots and place on the inside of the 
rows; a distance of eighteen inches between the rows of plants 
gives plenty of room for a double row of branches and the tops 
of these are tied to a wire stretched from posts placed at each 
end. Use additional posts between to help support the wire if 
the row is longer than thirty feet. Placing the brush in this 
position gives easy access to the vines for dis-budding, and an 
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