May 13, 1905. 
THE GARDENING 
WORLD 
393 
“The Culture of Sweet Peas.” By Richard. Dear., V.M.II., 
F I! li.S. London : Agricultural and Horticultural Asso¬ 
ciation, Limited, 92, Long Acre, W.C. Price Id. 
In this we have a pamphlet of 32 pages devoted to the cul¬ 
tivation of Sweet Peas by a florist of long standing and great 
ouute. It is edited by Edward Owen Greening, F .R.H.S., arid 
is in its third edition, thus indicating a want on the part ot the 
public for literature dealing with the most popular annual at 
{he present day. It is intended for the use of cottage gar¬ 
deners and anyone interested in horticulture, i lie pamphlet 
embodies the results of the opinions of the National Sweet I ea 
Society concerning the merits of different varieties and those 
'tied are most useful for general cultivation. There is also an 
article on Everlasting Peas by the Hon. H. A. Stanhope, and 
hints on culture by Mr. William Smith. Every page bears an 
illustration dealing either with the forms ot various varieties 
,,f the Sweet Pea, their uses for decorative purposes, methods 
of rearing, planting, and portraits of those who have contri¬ 
buted the information. Lists of the best varieties, classified 
under their respective colours, are given. 
Marguerite Carnations. 
Although Marguerite Carnations cannot be compared with 
Malmaisons or pot Carnations indoors, they are nevertheless 
worthy of culture. In some localities winter flowering Carna¬ 
tions do not always give satisfaction ; good plants are grown, 
but the buds fail to open in the short days of winter. In such 
cases, Marguerites will be found good substitutes, where the 
Carnation is so much sought after. For two seasons I have 
seen “ Sutton’s ” strain of Marguerite Carnations purposely 
.n-own to supply a few flowers from November into April. For 
an outdoor display it is necessary to sow in February to obtain 
o-ood plants, to be planted in prepared beds outside. 
I will refer to indoor treatment. From March to the end 
of April seed can be sown to flower from tlie following Novem¬ 
ber to March. Sow the seed in good drained pans of sifted 
loam, leaf mould, and sand. Water through a fine lose, this 
being sufficient moisture before germination takes place that 
is, if the seed pans are in a cool greenhouse or frame and 
shaded. In no way rush the young plants into soft growth 
by retaining them in warm structures. Aim at cool treatment 
to have sturdy plants. Prick off into boxes containing loam 
in good quantity, with leaf-mould and sand. At the beginning 
of June the plants will have been exposed a few weeks to the 
open air, and will be ready for a shift into 3 in. pots. Drain¬ 
age plays an important part in Carnation culture. The com¬ 
post should not suffer from carelessness in its preparation or 
contents. Good turfy loam three parts, one part decayed 
manure, soot, and sand will suffice; leaf-mould is scarcely 
necessary. Pass this through an inch sieve, or, preferably, 
break it up by tlie hand. If bright weather follows the 
potting, damping overhead and shading will be required for 
a few days. If frame ground is available, the pots are better 
plunged in ashes, but only tilt on the sashes when a spell of wet 
or boisterous weather continues. 
Tlie end of July will find the Carnations suitable for re¬ 
potting in the flowering pots—that is, 6 in. size. Use the 
compost as already advised in a rough state. Stake the plants, 
and do not expose the Marguerites to wet weather in the 
autumn months. In November remove the plants to a cool 
and airy house—a carnation structure, if one exists. It is 
disastrous to attempt rushing the plants to flower in a warm 
and dose atmosphere. Liquid manure and soot water are feed¬ 
ing stimulants. The flowers present many colours. The 
prevailing practice is to plant outdoors, lifting and repotting' 
in autumn; no doubt a good idea, and successful enough. I 
do not, however, advocate this mode. The plants are never so 
good, but the worst fault is that the Carnations are not 
rootbound, and seem unable to withstand the sun. Margue¬ 
rites are chiefly raised from seed annually. Any special colour 
could be perpetuated from cuttings. ' A. V. M. 
Letters to the Editor. 
To he, or not to be, Apprenticed to Horticulture '! 
To the Editor of The Gardening World. 
.Sir,—Week by week as your valuable paper readies me, I 
scan with more than common interest the articles permed by 
your various correspondents with reference to the above sub¬ 
ject; but so far they have failed to agree on either side of the 
question. 
I feel grieved to notice that at least one or two of the above- 
mentioned writers are giving way to what I should term a 
rather fiery temper; and thus, instead of still ardently sup¬ 
porting their former views on the question at issue, they have 
strayed to a wide field of criticism, and have there taken up 
subjects in which they are altogether unqualified to give a 
sound decision—namely, their opponents’ knowledge of the con¬ 
tents of an English dictionary, his fluency in writing, and bis 
education in general—questions calling for greater ability and 
more considerate judgment than our friends are capable of 
bestowing on them. 
Undoubtedly, to all sensible minds, must appear the fact 
that no matter be he apprentice, or garden boy, unless he is 
intelligent, persevering, and attentive to his duties, it is simply 
ridiculous for him to think of becoming a gardener, whatever 
be the degree of efficiency attained by the person undertaking 
to teach him. Personally, I contend that every youth wishing 
to rise in the gardening profession should start as an appren¬ 
tice, studying strenuously all branches of his work, bearing in 
mind that if he is to attain success he must be energetic. 
Whilst advocating the system of apprenticeship, I positively 
denounce the idea of any lad paying a premium ; and although 
some of our friends writing on this subject fail to see what 
constitutes an apprentice if he pays no premium, I must on 
this point, as on a few more, with them agree to differ. In 
my estimation there is a vast, contrast, not, of course, in the 
mere name, but in the many advantages gained by the trust¬ 
worthy apprentice at the hands of his superiors in comparison 
to the proverbial garden-boy who takes very little if any in¬ 
terest in bis work. Certainly there are exceptions in both 
cases, and it always gives me the greatest pleasure to see the 
most deserving of my fellow-creatures rise to the envied posi¬ 
tions of their profession ; but at the same time I hold that the 
garden-boy and the so-called garden labourer prove, as a rule, 
a great hindrance to gardeners and the advance of horticulture 
as a whole. 
Just one word more with reference to one of “Foreman’s” 
letters in which lie maintains that boys are very useful for 
watering, fires, etc. Now, these are duties which the capable 
and experienced gardener would never dream of allowing such 
youthful hands to take part, in, unless under strict supervision, 
for to those are mainly responsible the welfare of bis plants. 
Also your correspondent T. A. Weston in your issue of 
April 22nd ventures to remark that any sensible lad if left to 
his own devices can gradually learn gardening. It is super¬ 
fluous to mention that the idea is absurd in the extreme. Ir 
would be difficult indeed to' quote anything equally ridiculous, 
unless we suggest throwing our educational systems to the wind 
and permit the rising generation to grope in oblivion and 
despair for one of the absolute necessities of life. Given all 
the papers published and an unlimited sphere in which to 
practise, the sensible or any other lad without someone to lead 
and explain to him would be wasting his youthful energy over 
exhaustive studies, and all to no purpose. J. T. 
To the Editor of The Gardening Would. 
Sir,—I have taken great interest in the discussion that has 
taken place on this subject. I fully concur with “ M. S. in 
his censure of C. Blair and " Cabbager ” both regarding their 
evasion of the real point at issue and their discreditable re¬ 
marks concerning the labourers. I will go further and say 
that many labourers could evidently show Mr. Blair points. 
Is it u6t gratifying to know we have at least one member of 
