THE JOHN . CRAIG LIBRARY college: OF AGRICULTURE COLLEGE OF a::":o:jlture, DEPARTMENT CF HORTICULTURE, CORNELL UNIVERSITY, ITHACA, N. Y. CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARV 924 055 468 148 SUTTON'S Colour Schemes — IM — Sweet Feas. Beautiful and harmonious effects are obtained from the following com- binations of colours, far surpassing a general mixture of Sweet Peas:— Pink, Yollow and Salmon Shades. White and Pale Blue Shadem. Pale Blue and Cream Shades. Salmon'pink and Pale Blue Shades. Rose-pink and Pale Blue Shades. Cream and Maroon Shades. Salmon-plnk and Crimson Shades. Imperial Red, White and Blue. Each, per Packet, //- and 2/6. FOR sunoN's SWEET —PEAS- NATIONAL SWEET PEA SOCIETY'S SHOW, July 12 & 13, 1910. R.H.S.SHOW HOLLAND HOUSE, July 6 & 6, 1910. SUTTON'S GIANT-FLOWERED FRILLED SWEET PEAS The best of each Colour under a deterlptlve Colour Name : Whito, Pr/mrose-yefloHT, Appla-ltloamom, Dallcate Pink, iaimon-pink, R/efi ifo«e, Searlet-crlmaon, Skybluo, Purpio, Maroon, n/larbloa Bluo, HIauvo. Each, pep Paeket, II- Hixed Colours, pep Packet, 11- and 2/S COMPLETE PRICE LIST OF ALL THE BEST VARIETIES POST FREE. SUTTON & SONS, The King's Seedsmen, READING. •THE MODERN CULTURE OF SWEET PEAS. Cornell University Library The original of tiiis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924055468148 NEW YOR»V STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURt BEPARTMEST OF FLO^li^uLl .?t OftSAJitEtnALMflTISOatlRE CORNELL UNIVERSITY ITHACA, N. V. BY THE SAME AUTHOR. HOW TO GROW SWEET PEAS. The History and Culture of this Popular Flower Briefly and Interestingly Described. Price 6d. Post free, yid. Of the Publishers; The Cable Printing and Publishing Company, Limited, Hatton Houses Great Queen Street, London, W.C, The Modern Culture Or Sweet Peas. BY THOMAS STEVENSON Member of the Executive cmd Moral Committees of the National Sweet Pea Society. Ttoice Winner of the Eekford Memorial Challenge Cup; Thrice Winner of the Provincial Cup, N.S.P.S.; and Judge at many of the Principal Shows. LONDON : Thb Cable Printing and Publishins Company, Ltd., Hatton House, Great Qubbn Street, W.C. PeihtSd and Pdblibhsd bt the OABLB FBINTIKa AND PCBllSHISa GOUPANT, LIMITED, Ha'ttoh House, Osbat QUBUN Stsbet, LOMDON, W.O. CONTENTS. Inteodtjction Soil and Situation Dates of Sowing ... Planting Out Staking MnLCHiNG, Feeding, and Watering.. Pkepamng the Blooms for Exhibition Varieties for Exhibition ... Sweet Peas for Garden Decoration Sweet Peas for Market and Indoor Decoration Sweet Peas for Early Flowering in Pots ... The Decorative Value of Sweet Peas The Enemies of the Sweet Pea ..; Notes on Illustrations FACE I S 17 26 30 ... 36 41 ... 48 - 59 ... 6s ... 69 72 ... 78 ... 84 ILLUSTRATIONS. Red Chief (coloured plate) ... ... ... ... .FronihpUee FACING FACE The Authoe Gathering Blooms from Spking-sown Plants DURING THE FiRST WeEK IN JULY ... ... ... I iPLANTS FROM SPRING-SOWN SEED, SlHOWING i&TATE OF GROWTH ON iMAY 30TH ... ... ... ... ... ... iS Thomas Stevenson (coloured plate) ... ... ... ... 24 Plants from Adtumn-sown Seed, iSHOwiNG State of Growth on May 30TH ... ... ... ,.,. ... ... 30 William Eagle (coloured plate) ... ... ... ... 42 iMatjd Holmes (ISunproof Crimson Spencer) ... ... ... 48 Charles Foster (coloured plate) ... ... ... ... 56 Autumn-sown Plants, the First Week in July ... ... 66 Iris (coloured plate) ... ... ... ... ... 74 The Second Week in September — and Still Blooming ... 80 Mrs. W. J. Unwin (coloured plate) ... ... ... ... 84 The Authok Gathering T!l(,oms from Spsi\g-su«x Plants hueixg the First Week ix ]vly. (The b!oo::i III the fon/^numa' is nirs. Hugh Dickson.) THE MODERN CULTURE OF SWEET PEAS. INTRODUCTION. IN most of the works on Sweet Peas the history of the flowers has been made a great deal of; in fact, much more so than the general reader cares for, and, there- fore, I intend in this little work to leave out all the history that does not concern the cultivation of the Sweet Pea, and merely to put before the reader my own a.ctual experiences, gained in the observation and cultivation of this increasingly popular flower during the last fifteen to twenty years. At the outset, I hope I may be pardoned if I say that during that time I have taken a deep interest in aJl that appertains to the Sweet Pea, and have cultivated most of the varieties that have beein introduced in each season. I hardly think there is one variety popular twenty years ago that is grown in any quantity now; and if there are any, I am quite sure they are absolutely unnecessary, as we have varieties in the Spencer form that have all the delicacy of colouring that the old favourites had, practically aJl of which were raised by the grand old man of the Sweet Pea world— Henry Eckford. THE MODERN CULTURE OF SWEET PEAS. What a debt of gratitude we Sweet Pea lovers owe to him and his untiring efforts for the many wonderful breaks in colour he obtained, long before Dick, Tom and Harry were trying their hand at the cross-fertilisation of the Sweet Pea. For many years he practically kept the whole thing in his own hands, but when once he did put a new vairiety on the market there was very little chance of it breaking away again, either for good or bad, and but for the advent of the variety Countess Spencer, I feel sure the Sweet Pea trade would be working in a much closer groove ithan it is at present. But it was not to be; and we now have varie- ties innumerable, all of which have some outstanding merit of their own, either in shape, size, quality, or colour, and if one individual does not like a particular variety, there are probably hundreds that do. Last season many enthusiasts were of opinion that we had almost come to the end of our tether in new breaks of colour, but after visiting the shows and trials this season, I am quite convinced that whatever good things we may have already, there are still more to follow. Those who saw Mr. Bolton's bunches of Charles Foster at the 1910 show of the National Sweet Pea Society must have felt that we had indeed got a good thing here. The same may be said of his Red Maroon variety (No. 230 in the trials), with a yellow keel — a decided break in the dark varieties. This is the kind of new variety that we require, and it will be welcomed on all hands, being quite unique in colouring and in form — not a Pea new in name only, that, when distri- buted, will be a disappointment to everybody owing to the fact that it is only a shade lighter or darker in colour (according to the cultivation it has received) than some already existing, and possibly cheaper, variety. THE MODERN CULTURE OF SWEET PEAS. I am afraid this wholesale distribution of unfixed and similar varieties, many of which are sent out by different firms under different names, has gone a long way towards "killing the goose that lays the golden eggs." This has not been altogether intentional on the part of the seedsmen, as miany of them are working on definite lines towards the production of new and fixed varieties of Sweet Peas. Not unlikely many of them make the same crosses, and if this is done it is only natural that in many cases they obtain the same, or I ought to say similar, results. Again, after some varieties have remained fixed for several years, for some obscure reason they will sometimes break away in all directions, and when this occurs each grower, with an eye to business, selects the best seedlings or sports, as they may be termed, and gives them a name, and after a year or two puts them, on the market, and in very many instances the introductions of the respective growers are one and the same thing, and thus we get multiplication of names. But all this, I feel sure, will be rectified as far as possible in the near future; many of oiir leading growers fully realise the necessity of keeping down names, and are working hand in hand to put on the market really new and fixed stocks, and the independent trials which, many of them carry out and invite the public to see are the chief means they employ to see which varieties are alike, or are distinct enough to warrant them appearing in their catalogues. There is still plenty of room for improvement in many of the existing shades of colour. In the pinks and cream-pinks we have some really grand things; in crimson also we have two or three perfect in form, which will stand the sun ; in yellow or cream there is room for a better flower, as Clara Curtis, unless grown very well, is somewhat thin, and has not the habit of giving too many fotirs. In whites we have THE MODERN CULTURE OF SWEET PEAS. also one or two good varieties, but we have yet to get one of the size and substance of Sunproof Crimsoin or Mrs. Hugh Dickson. F. A. Wellesley, as grown by Mr. Hopkins, was good, but could hardly be called white, and it is rather thin in the standaird, as is also a white form of Mrs. A. Ireland. Rapid strides are being made in the orange shades, and I have one in my eye which is as large as any flower I have seem, and much deeper in colour than Helen Lewis, which it very much resembles in form. In salmons much has been done of late, and now that we have one which is reputed to stand the sun, we may soon hope to get this good quality in a larger and better-formed flower. The colour which calls for most attention is a good deep blue, for at present we have nothing worth growing whem compared with the good flowers in other colours. It is a colour that is quite telling for exhibition purposes, as when placed near some other colours it not only contrasts well with them, but seems to add body to them, notably the yellow shades. In scarlet also we want a good, large waved flower that will stand the sun; there are several about which appear really good, but none of them are so good but what they may be materially improved upon, amd I believe we shall get nearer perfection in the very near future. Messrs. Dobbies, of Edinburgh, have some wonderful flowers in this colour among their seedlings. These few remarks go to show that there is still plenty of scope for those who are interested in cross-fertilisation to improve existing varieties or colours, as well as to aim at getting other new and pleasing shades, and nothing could be more interesting; but it is quite useless for anyone to take up this delightful phase of Sweet Pea culture without he can add to the area of his garden each season as the seedlings require more room ; while to begin with the grower THE MODERN CULTURE OF SWEET PEAS. must have a set purpose in view, and not begin to work haphazardly, and, what is more, anyone studying Mendel's laws, and applying them, will stand by far the greatest chances of success. At the present time there is no question as to the immense popularity of the Sweet Pea, and small wonder at it, seeing the amount of pleasure one can get out of even a few clumps of Peas; and what a quantity of bloom can be gathered from them, covering a season of from three to fout months, and often longer than this. I should say it is quite impossible to find a plant of any description, much less a hardy annual, that one can go on cutting at for such a length of time; yet it is this continual cutting of the blooms that prolongs the life of the plant, and if one hears complaints of a man's Peas having "gone over" quickly, you may be sure it is from lack of attention in keeping the flowers removed, providing, of course, that he has done his ground well before planting. Among amateur gardeners the Sweet Pea is nowadays the one flower with them, many discarding every other flowering plant to make room for more of their favourites. I could point to the gardens of several of my amateur friends where there is nothing else in the garden— vegetables and everything being displaced by Peas. I don't say that this is as it should be, but it just shows the hold, or I might say the deep root, that the "cult" of the Sweet Pea has taken on the gesneral public : and what more pleasant or beneficial hobby can a man have, especially anyone who is penned up in an office or shop all day. It means health to him. If a man cultivates anything from five to ten rod of ground for Sweet Peas, and does it well, it will mean that he has not a great amount of time to waste from January to October. Fortunately, the laborious part of the THE MODERN CULTURE OF SWEET PEAS. work conies during the cold weather, when it is not quite so trying to a man who is not used to really hard manual labour, and as this can be spread over a period of frona two to three months, it ought not to prove particularly arduous. After this is got over, all the rest of the work is very light, and might well be done during the evening with the pipe on, in the case of the amateur, and it is this class of grower that I find so particularly keen. Nothing is too much trouble to them, especially when they are endeavouring to get their Peas in good enough condition to compete at some local show. To this section of my readers I shall endeavour to ex- plain, in as simple a manner as possible, what they may and can do towards the successful cultivation of this beautiful flower, and when I say that two amateurs I know, who had never had any experience of gardening up to two years previous, in 1910 grew Peas certainly stronger, and with flowers as large as my own (without, perhaps, quite so much refinement in them), it goes to prove that anyone with a little ground, any amount of energy, and a few practical hints now and again, can at least grow blooms if not quite fit to win the Eckford Cup, quite good enough to compete in many of the ordinary classes at the National or any oither show. Many people will at once say I do not care a rap about exhibiting my Peas; in fact, many people do write me in that strain, but they say I should like to get Peas with good long stems the same as I see so-and-so exhibiting: well, then, the only way is to take the same trouble and give the same care to the cultivation as your friend does, and then even on poor soil quite good results may be obtained, which if they axe not required for exhibition pur- poses, these good long-stemmed flowers will be more than THE MODERN CULTURE OF SWEET PEAS. appreciated by those who undertake the decorating in the house, and whether this is for the mansion or the cottage the satisfaction they will give in either case will quite com- pensate for the extra time and trouble given to them. If there is one fault more common than another with Sweet Pea growers at the present time, whether they are gardeners, amateurs, or cottagers, it is that they — or I shoitld say we — grow too many varieties. Personally, I know that I grow too many, taking into consideration the limited space at my command for Peas (about twelve rod), and were it not that I am a member of the Floral Committee of the National Sweet Pea Society, I would not grow more than one third of the varieties that I now grow; but I feel, to speak authoritatively, one must not only see growing, but actually grow, many of the varieties for comparison, and watch them under varying weather conditions, as it is only this constant observation that gives one a true idea of the merits of individual varieties. THE MODERN CULTURE OF SWEET PEAS. SOIL AND SITUATION. It has been said that the Sweet Pea can be grown in any kind of soil, no matter what its nature, whether it is cold and heavy, or whether it is light and warm. This I thoroughly endorse, though, of co-urse, it will be with vary- ing degrees of success, according to the knowledge of the individual who is cultivating it. I certainly have not yet seen soil that, with proper and liberal cultivation, will not produce at least fairly decent Peas. Though my own soil is heavy and of rather a diflScult texture to deal with, it will grow very fair Peas, and some of the largest and best flowers I have seen these past few seasons have been grown practi- cally on sajad, so light that during dry weather in the spring, where the ground was not cropped, the wind would blow it about. The only treatment this ground had was just bastard trenching with a very moderate dressing of manure. During the first fortnight, plants grown on this ground pro- duced very fine flowers on stems varying from one foot to sixteen inches in length, and had they been attended to in the matter of feeding, watering, and mulching, they would no doubt have continued giving good blooms for a very con- siderable time. As it was, they flowered very well for about six weeks, though during the latter part of the time the stems were rather short and wiry, quite out of proportion to the size of the flower, which was very good indeed. This only serves to show that, if one has very light soil, good THE MODERN CULTURE OF SWEET PEAS. flowers can be obtained by giving a little extra attention after they commence blooming, also on this class of soil during prolonged wet weather, the bine will not grow away too freely, neither will the stems and flowers be so soft as those growing on heavy soil under the same weather conditions. On heavy soil the plants will continue blooming over a longer period, and will, no doubt, give longer and flatter stems, but it does not follow that the flowers will be pro- portionately larger or more flowers on a stem ; in fact, I am very much disposed to think that the reverse is often the case. With heavy soil the preparation of it will be a very arduous operation, and great care must be exercised in choosing the time for trenching. This will vary very con- siderably according to the nature of the soil. If the spring is wet there may be some diflB.culty in getting the ground in a nice friable condition for planting, and it m.ay mean that the young plants will have to stay in the pots or boxes for some few days, or it may be a week or two longer than they ought to, thus receiving a check, ^and even after plant- ing they may be some time longer getting a start in the heavy soil than in soil of a lighter nature. It will also be found that slugs will be more troublesome, the rougher or more lumpy nature of the soil providing much more harbour for them. But with thought and attention these troubles may be overcome, and when once the plants begin to grow away they will make up for lost time, and, as previously mentioned, may give extra large and long-stemmed flowers. So that whatever the nature of the soil, there is something to be said in its favour, and a season that suits one may be all against the other. Were I asked what class of soil I should prefer for the cultivation of Peas, I should at once say a fairly rich porous THE MODERN CULTURE OF SWEET PEAS. loam, that has no tendency to bake during dry weather, and which will draim itself pretty freely during continued moisture. So anyone having this kind of soil in his garden may feel that he has at least a little natural advantage to start with, but, unfortunately for us, there are very few who can choose their ground, but must make use of the piece of garden attached to his or her house, and it is really astonishing what results are obtained even in what may often be termed a backyard. In large establishments it is, of course, very different, and a site may be chosen for the Peas which may suit their requirements in every way. If possible, the ground selected should be fairly open, though if sheltered somewhat from the prevailing winds so much the better; at the same time it is not desirable that they should be planted near to or under trees, as the roots from the trees are likely to rob them of both food and moisture. Yet a little shade during the hottest part of the day might in some seasons be a distinct advantage, especially to some of the orange, salmon and mauve-coloured varieties. The scarlet and crimson varieties now being practically free from scalding, they do not require consideration in this matter of shade. Generally speaking, the more open the ground, and the more air that can pass through it without danger from rough winds, the better and sturdier will be the haulm, and providing this is hardy and in good health, good bloom is bound to follow ; but once the haulm becomes attenuated through want of light, or owing to the sodden state of the subsoil (this latter is not always preventable), the flowers will naturally be poor and thin, and it will take all one's persuasive powers to rectify things again, even if it can be done ait all. Wherever possible, the ground chosen should be that THE MODERN CULTURE OF SWEET PEAS. ■which has not had leguminous plants grown on it for a season or two, but this is not imperative, as good Peas can be, and are, grown on the same ground for quite a number of years, but now we are all more or less liable to suffer from attacks of fungoid diseases, it is as well to change the ground as often as possible. Atmospheric Effects. One other very significant factor towards the successful cultivation and exhibiting of Peas (the latter in particular) is the atmospheric conditions that prevail in the neighbour- hood or locality. These we cannot regulate, and though the plants in the young state are benefited or otherwise by them, it is after the plants get into bloom that they really show the effects of the atmosphere. We all like to see dry weather overhead during the time our flowers are opening for a show, but if the sun is very hot, and there is a fairly drying wind, the flowers will open somewhat small and thin, and have a decided tendency to lose colour. On the other hand, if the weather is dry and fairly dull, with just a touch of moisture in the air, without being actually wet, the flowers will open slower, but they will be better, both in size, substance and colour, so that it may be inferred from this that those living where the atmosphere is generally soft and somewhat moist will be able to get more body and colour into their flowers than their less fortunate friends who live in very dry and arid localities. In very low-lying districts, such as the Thames Valley, one is apt to get rather overdone in this matter of moist air, the nights often being very cold, even during the hottest part of the summer. Here night fogs occur which are so laden with moisture that it seems to impregnate the flowers through THE MODERN CULTURE OF SWEET PEAS. and througli, and this is even worse than rain, as often they do not get dry before the sun gets quite hot the following morn- ing, and if they do not actually scald they become very thin and limp-looking, which is very much against them for exhibi- tion purposes. Another point — this time from a nursery- man's point of view. In these localities there is great diffi- culty in setting seed, so anyone desirous of seed-saving must choose a position which is fairly high and dry. Preparation of the Soil. The first and by far the most important operation in connection with the successful cultivation of Sweet Peas is the preparation of the soil, and whether the cultivator decides on spring or autumn sowing, or whether he is going to plant out from pots or boxes or sow in the open ground, the thorough tilling of his ground must be considered before anything else. It is little use spending money in buying choice varieties of Peas, or devoting time in the raising of same, if the ground is not in good heart and in a nice friable condition to receive the plants at the proper .time. It does not matter one bit whether the grower intends to exhibit Peas, or if he only wishes to have good flowers to cut at, or nice rows or clumps for the embellishment of the garden — this one operation must be thoroughly well done. Some people obtain fair results by just digging the ground in the ordinary way; others bastard trench, whilst again others take out trenches during the winter and put the manure in these as they get it, adding to it all the refuse from the garden, filling them up with soil in the spring, just previous to the time of planting or sowing, whichever the case may be. This latter method may give good results in some seasons, but I am quite sure plants grown in this way will give large floppy flowers on long stems, which have neither THE MODERN CULTURE OF SWEET PEAS. form nor colour about them. That some judges go blindly for such stuff and award them prizes I am very well aware, but a reaction has already set in, and I believe quality will be considered more than it has been, so what should be aimed at is to produce flowers quite characteristic of the variety; that are good in substance and colour, with the flowers nicely placed on good stiff stems; that are not too gross; with a standard that holds itself fairly erect and the wings looking well at you, and not laying open and almost hiding the standard — this latter, and double standards^ being to my mind two of the chief defects in a Sweet Pea. Now to produce this class of flower over a long season the ground sihould be well trenched at least three spits deep — this applies to light as well as heavy soil. If it has been under cultivation a number of yeaa-s, the subsoil may be brought to the surface during the operation, but unless you have had some previous experience with your ground it is not wise to do this, as you may have cause to regret it. Generally speaking, on heavy cold soils, after skimming the surface to get rid of weeds and rubbish, and burying it in the bottom of the trench, it is best to keep the top spit on the top. This will entail more work, as it will mean having three trenches open at the same time; but if these are only two feet wide, they may be reached over quite easily without having to tread on any of the ground that has been moved. When trenching heavy soil, work into the bottom spit as much garden refuse and leaves as you can get hold of, in addition to some good, rich manure. This should be pro- cured from the cow or bullock pen if possible, using it quite fresh ; if there is plenty of straw with it, so much the better, as it will tend to keep the soil more porous. In the second spit plenty of manure shotild be worked in, but it ought not to be brought nearer the surface than this (say from ten to 13 THE MODERN CULTURE OF SWEET PEAS. twelve inches), whilst in the top spit a sprinkling of bone^ meal should be added, as well as a good dressing of soot; this latter will help to get rid of some of the insect pests. The addition of any old mortar rubble, wood ashes, leaf-soil, or anything else of a light, friable nature, will be very beneficial if worked in near the surface, but this might with advantage be left till nearer the time of planting, parti- cularly if the soil is of a very sticky nature; it will then, if fairly dry, prove a very good medium in which to plant the young Peas. If cow manure cannot be obtained, then, of course, any other manure will do, such as stable or pig manure, varying the quantity according to the quality of same. Now, the great point about the trenching of heavy soil is to well incorporate the manure with the soil (not leaving it in layers in the trenches), and thoroughly well pulverise the two bottom spits as you go on, breaking it up as fine as possible, as no frost or air will get down thus far to mellow it down. The top spit may be left rough, and this, no doubt, will break down with the action of the weather. Even after trenching I often have the surface of the soil ridged, which naturally exposes more of it to the action of frost, sun, and drying winds, and I find these ridges, brlly decide which are the best to grow. Individual taste will always be a very potent factor in the selection of varieties, but for a season or so the following review may be a little guide to those who are not in the position to see the new varieties exhibited, or to inspect them growing at the National Sweet Pea Society's trials. The names are those of what I consider the best in their colours, taking into consideration, as far as possible, their fixity, etc. Whites. In whites we have some good varieties, but there is still room for a better and larger flower. Freda (Breadmore) is a giant — or perhaps I ought to say improved — stock of Etta Dyke, and I think I may safely name this as the best of the new ones. Florence Wright is also a good thing, but neither of these have been generally grown, so I must not be too definite about them. Failing these two, Nora Unwin is to my idea the white, it having a better and more upright standard than Etta Dyke, and in nearly all cases a I'onger stem, which does not shorten nearly so quickly as Etta Dyke in the event of really hot weather. Crimson. Crimsons have been decidedly improved during the past two years, and in Sunproof Crimson (either Debbie's or Sydenham's stock) we have an ideal Pea, the flower being both large and of good shape, certainly standing the sun well, and, I should say, quite fixed. King Edward Spencer is arlso good, it being a fine grower, usually throwing four flowers on a good stem; but the colour is not so bright as that of the first-named, neither is it quite so true, there generally being two types in it. 49 * THE MODERN CULTURE OF SWEET PEAS. EOSE. In this colour it seems impossible bo beat Jobn Ingman, wbether it is bought under the name of Paradise Carmine, George Herbert, Mrs. W. King, or any of the other names under which it is sold. It is a veritable giant, grows well, and gives good flowers in all weathers, with perhaps a little more brilliancy in it when the season is fairly warm. Marjorie Willis is of rather a different type of flower from the above, and of quite a distinct shade of rose, which on the plant is wonderfully plea/sing; but it is very disappoint- ing as a flower for exhibition, quickly going soft, and taking on a magenta shade in water. Marie Corelli, an American- raised variety, is very similar to the preceding, and rather softer in colour. It does not fade so badly in water, so, if a second rose-coloured variety is needed, this is the one to choose. SCAELETS. This is one of the m.ost telling colours, though as yet we have no variety quite equal in size to the crimsons. Scarlet Monarch (Deal) is, I think, a coming variety, the flower being very nicely waved, and a very bright shade of scarlet. Doris Burt is rather deeper in colour than the pre- ceding, .and it may be just a trifle larger in the flower. George Stark, as awarded the medal in 1908, was very fine, but unfortunately it has not often been seen in such good form since, though the variety George Stark Improved seems to be very near to the original. Cerise. Flowers in this shade are on the small side, but what they lack in size is made up in colour. Cherry Ripe (Gilbert's) and Coccinea Waved (Hemus) are both very good varieties, either of which would add colour to any collection. so THE MODERN CULTURE OF SWEET PEAS. Rose du Barrii (Alex. Dickson) is another variety that comes under this colour heading. It is very bright, and will prove very useful as a decorative Pea. Yellow or Cream. At present we have no finer variety than Clara Curtis, though of this there are some types on the market that are better than others. Paradise Ivory is a grand Pea — in fact, one of the largest and best, but it does not look its best when bunched ; still, as it is such a satisfactory grower, it makes a good second string to Clara Curtis. As a Pea for garden decoration it is unsurpassed. Isabel Malcolm aaid Lady Knox (Dobbie) are both coming Peas, and are beauti- ful, but as yellows they aje no improvement. Blue. This is a colour that might well be divided into two shades — dark and light, but there is no dark blue at present that is good enough to rank as an exhibition variety, Mrs. George Charles (Bolton) being about the best. In the lighter shades we have Zephyr, Kathleen McGowan and Anglian Blue, all of which are identical in colour, and they all throw the same dirty white rogues; but, as growing side by side during 1910, Anglian Blue (E. W. King) was the best grown, with a better flower than either of the others. Flora Norton Spencer is also much the same as the three preceding varieties, and, if anything, is a larger and looser flower, while having the advantage of being quite fixed. Pink. The varieties under this colour heading are innumerable, but for fixity Countess Spencer is even now as good as any. Audrey Crier and Marjorie Linzee are both grand Peas, SI B* Missing Page Missing Page Missing Page Missing Page THE MODERN CULTURE OF SWEET PEAS. etc., and many of them are good; but as classes for Peaa generally vajy from twelve to twenty-fotir varieties, there seems hardly room to include many Fancies, as varieties with more distinct colouring are to be preferred to these latter. At the same time, many of the Fancies would prove valuable as decorative varieties. In recommending the above Peas, I do not mean to say that there are not others equally good, and possibly some may be even better; but most of those named can be had (except where stated otherwise) in a fairly fixed state, and these may improve next season, so that anyone making a selection from them will not be far behind in the matter of varieties, and need only give good cultivation to bring them out on top. I am well aware that there axe very many pleasing Peas that I have peissed over, but, unfortunately, they are not worth mention from, an exhibition point of view, many of them having quite glaring faults when looked into closely, such as double standards, or with a short standard that does not come down low enough to form a background to the wings and keel. Also, a flower with the wings very open and spreading is far from being of good form, and, generally speaking, flowers of this stamp have very little substance, and with the slightest amount of wet weather, hang about all over the place. Another very glaring defect is a Pea with a cut or notched standard, and many new varieties have lately been exhibited which had this defect. A typical Pea should have a standard that stands fairly erect, one that when placed out flat almost covers a circle, with the wings just open enough for the keel to show through between them nicely. A Pea of this type seems to have more body than the previously-mentioned loose-winged flowers, as invariably the inside of the wings and keel are of quite a different and 57 THE MODERN CULTURE OF SWEET PEAS. usually paler shade of colour than the standard and outside of the wings; and if this does not show, the flower naturally presents a better and more solid body of colour when in the bunch. Before leaving the subject of varieties, I should like further to emphasise that it is unwise to grow too many varieties, more particularly if space is limited. We are all very apt to do this, and when the time comes to cut for a show, we find we should have been better off with fewer varieties and more plants of each, as fifteen or sixteen blooms are of no use when twenty or twenty-five are asked for. One can always compete more strongly when possessing plenty of good blooms to choose from ; and there are nowadays very few classes where more than twelve bunches are asked for; so that if the amateur grower has, say, from sixteen to twenty varieties, and twenty-four to thirty plants of each, he ought to be able to cut twelve good bunches from them. But if it is decided to grow some varieties that are known to be unfixed, it is better to grow quite double the number of plants, and then you will be on the safe side. With such a variety as Audrey Crier, this is well worth the risk. ©Sg^g^® THE MODERN CULTURE OF SWEET PEAS. SWEET PEAS FOR GARDEN DECORATION. Though there may be hundreds who aim at growing Sweet Peas solely for exhibition, there are at least thousands whose object in growing these beautiful plants is the embel- lishment of their gardens, and there are very few plants that will give such a bright and prolonged show as these during the summer months. They will grow and thrive in almost any soil or situation, providing it has been well worked and manured preparatory to planting or sowing, and the advice already given as to the preparation of the soil for exhibition purposes applies with equal force here. It may, of course, be impossible to trench the patches in the flower garden so thoroughly as a piece of ground set apart entirely for Peas; yet everything possible should be done to provide them with a good rooting medium, and then success is assured. Planting should be done early, wherever possible, and each plant put out separately, as advised previously. But where they are to be used for clumps on the lawn, or for furnishing large flower-beds, it may be necessary to establish the plants in larger pots, say large 24's or 16's, and then plant out bodily. It is astonishing the number of ways in which Sweet Peas may be utilised in the flower garden. I will try to describe a few, but each garden has its own particular aspects and positions that require brightening, and even after giving a few hints, much must be left to S9 Missing Page Missing Page THE MODERN CULTURE OF SWEET PEAS. in this way, and though the Peas require to be well looked after in the early stages, and brought forward in good-sized pots, they well repay for the trouble taken. In all cases where they are used for beds, it is advisable for the ground- work plants to be also fairly tall growing (say two to three feet), so that as the season advances they keep somewhat proportionate in height, as tall plants of Peas about six feet in height would look somewhat incongruous with a ground- work only from nine inches to a foot. Also, the taller- growing plants will hide the bottom parts of the clumps somewhat, as towards the end of the season they will be sure to go off a bit yellow, especially if they ^are allowed to suffer at all from want of water. This last is a point which should receive every attention, for when planted in beds in the centre of the lawn, the Peas are open to all the wind and sun, and consequently will take a great deal more water than when planted in an enclosed garden. When it is not con- venient to plant or plunge the Peas about on the lawn, they may be grown in tubs, for which many suitable places will be found around or near the house, and apart from their decorative effect, the flowers' perfume is also very pleasing. At the foot of a short flight of steps leading from the house to the lawn, or even beside the entrance itself, they will show up to advantage if colours are chosen that will contrast nicely with the surroundings. Should the positions for these tubs be where they get a little shade during some part of the day, it will be a decided advantage, as, with the limited rooting space, they will not be found to grow as freely after they get into bloom as when planted in the open ground. Here, again, liberal feeding is very essential, and watering may have to be done two or three times a day, according to the position and size of the tubs. The staking of these plants in tubs and clumps on the lawn should be very neatly 62 THE MODERN CULTURE OF SWEET PEAS. done, and if good, light, brushy Hazel stakes can be pro- cured, they are quite the best for the purpose, as by the aid of two strong wire or Hazel hoops they may be tied in very neatly, without any fear of being shifted by the wind; and if, as the plants grow, a few of the shoots are brought to the outside, and given a tie here and there, they will quite hide the stakes. Occasionally, suitable positions for planting Peas are found near the walls of the house, or on verandaJis ; but the plants would not prove a great success if the ground was very much taken up with the roots of permanent creepers, though at Brighton I once noticed a very beautiful scheme of deco- ration aiound a house, where Sweet Peas were used to great advantage, they being trained up the walls to the height of seven or eight feet, with a plant to each of the pillars or divisions of a large bay window. The woodwork was painted white, and the plants of King Edward VII., which were full of flower, made a very pleasing picture, with a row of white Marguerites in bloom beneath them. I have no doubt many more such pleasing schemes could be devised if only a little thought were given to the matter, and very many bare spaces might be made bright at quite a minimum of expense. In the kitchen garden, where one does not always look for much in the way of decorative effect, a few clumps of Peas down each side of the central path, or here and there between pyramid fruit trees, add a touch of beautiful colour where it is particularly welcome. Now, to ensure the plants doing well in the various positions described, the great thing is to see that they do not suffer from want of water; and, further, that no seed- pods are allowed to set, making a strict rule to go over the plants twice a week at least, taking off all the bloom that is 63 THE MODERN CULTURE OF SWEET PEAS. just past its best. If this is done, there is no reason why they should not go on blooming well for three months. The selection of varieties here is not of such importance las when the blooms are required for exhibition, but they should not be chosen in any haphazard fashion, good, free- flowering varieties of quite decided colours being very much the best for garden decoration. Dorothy Eckford, Mrs. Collier, King Edward VII., Colleen, A. J. Cook, Arthur Unwin, Lord Nelson, Coccinea, Countess Spencer, Dazzler, Queen Alexandra, Paradise Ivoiy, John Ingman, Gladys Burt, Yvonne, Marjorie Willis, Millie Maslin, Mrs. Bieberstedt, Lady Grisel Hamilton, and Prince Olaf afford a mice selection. 64 THE MODERN CULTURE OF SWEET PEAS. SWEET PEAS FOR MARKET AND INDOOR DECORATION. So far, I have dealt principally with Sweet Peas for exhibition and garden decoration, touching here and there, as I went along, on special points of cultivation where they are primarily intended for cut flowers; and I can only add here that no treatment is too good for them, whether they are intended only for home decoration or for the market. Only recently, when chatting with two or three growers for market, I was informed that the flower salesmen declare they can easily sell the best class of flower right through the season at a really good price, whereas second-rate Peas hardly pay for the gathering. So that if growers for market make an early start by sowing in the autumn, and do their ground well, there should be money in it, but not otherwise, it being the same with Peas as with everything else — the early stuff makes the best prices. While the private grower, as a rule, grows the varieties and colours that suit his own taste, and professional gardeners have to study their employers' likes and dislikes, the market grower has to grow just those colours that will sell, and he finds that buyers are pretty fastidious in the matter. White and pink are the two colours chiefly in demand, while crimson, lavender, rose and mauve go off in fair quantities; and I have no doubt that the cerise and 6s r THE MODERN CULTURE OF SWEET PEAS. salmon shades would also sell well if they could be put on the market in sufficiently good form. Of course, the market man has to produce the best stuff he can at a minimum of cost, and it is hardly to be expected that he could go to all the trouble of trenching as advised by me for exhibition. But the nearer he can go to this, th« better will be his results, and the principal points of culti- vation right through should be adhered to as closely as possible. The greatest mistake that is made amongst market men is that of sowing too thickly. In more than one instance I have noted the seedlings coming up in "60" pots as thick as mustard and cress, and very rarely are fewer than from ten to twelve seeds sown in the same sized pot, the reason for sowing so thickly being not to economise space (or seed), but to secure a big crop of flowers whilst the market is good, prices generally falling very quickly once there is a full supply. But, as I mentioned before, good prices are obtain- able for tip-top stuff right through the season, and if a bimch of from twelve to eighteen good blooms will fetch twice the amount of a bunch of fifty inferior onesj it cer- tainly ought to pay for the extra labour entailed, which is really the chief item, staking being perhaps the next, for if you are catering for a long season, good long stakes must be used. For very early flowers for market, light, porous soil is very essential. Thin autumn sowings may be made out of doors, and wintered as advised in an earlier chapter; or, if the soil is heavy, sow in pots in the cold frame, and if these are kept quite hardy, and do not receive too severe a check i.vt planting-out time, they will commence blooming within % day or two of those sown outdoors — indeed, I have known them to be the first to open, and, given a really good situa- 66 AuTUMX-sowx Plants, the First Week ix July. THE MODERN CULTURE OF SWEET PEAS. tion, they ought to be opening their blooms about the end of the third week in May. I invariably commence cutting within a day either way of the 25th, and this on a very cold, heavy soil. The matter of varieties is most important, and I have heard it said that buyers do not care for the Spencer form of flower. This may be so, but if they were to be had in a good condition, I think they would take them as readily as the older grandiflora type. The sunless and, comparatively . speaking, damp seasons of this and last year (1909) have been very much against the Spencer form of Pea, and especially in regard to packing them for market, the big, fleshy standards being apt to retain more water after rain than would the plain standard varieties, with the result that they crush much more readily, and become easily heated in the boxes. Again, one must not lose sight of the fact that flowers sent to market are not all sold upon the morning of their arrival. Given a suitable season, however, they will go up in popular favour, even for the market j and, besides, we have several very decorative shades in the Spencer form that we have not got in the grandiflora, such as Mrs. Henry Bell and Mrs. R. Hallum : these and other similar varieties under various names are quite indispensable from a decorative point of view. A selection from the following ought to prove suitable, either for growing for the market or h'ome decoration : — Whites, Nora Unwin and Dorothy Eckford; crimson. King Edward and Sunproof Crimson; pink. Countess Spencer and Gladys Unwin; cream-pink, Gladys Burt, Mrs. Henry Bell, Mrs. Hugh Dickson, Mrs. Routzahn Spencer, Mrs. R. Hallum, Lancashire Pink, and Miriam Beaver. I mention several of these last, as I consider them the most important section, and they are all good. My selection of three for bunching 67 F* THE MODERN CULTURE OF SWEET PEAS. for market would be Gladys Burt, Mrs. Routzahn Spencer, and Lancashire Pink. Good lavenders are Frank Dolby and Mrs. Chas. Foster, or if a little more lilac is wanted, Asta Ohn; mauve, Mrs. "Walter Wright and Helio Para- dise; rose, John IngmaJi and Marie Corelli; scarlet, Queen Alexandra; orange-scarlet, Dazzler and Edna Unwin; cerise, Coccinea or Coccinea Waved, Cherry-Ripe, and Rose du Barrii. The striped varieties are not of much use for this purpose, but Aurora Spencer, Mrs. W. J. Unwin, Suffragette, and Prince Olaf are all varieties that grow freely and look well in the bunch, as also do one or two of the Bicolors, such as Arthur Unwin, Mrs. Andrew Ireland, and Colleen. 68 THE MODERN CULTURE OF SWEET PEAS. SWEET PEAS FOR EARLY FLOWERING IN POTS. This is another phase of cultivation which, while not recommended to the amateur with very limited glass room, is well worth serious consideration in large establishments and by those who grow for market, the flowers coming in at a time when many of the early spring-flowering plants are just going over, and forming quite a welcome change for the house and table after such subjects as Narcissi, Tulips, etc. The cultivation is very simple, one or two points only needing careful watching, such as keeping the plants quite sturdy till they commence blooming, and afterwards seeing that they do not suffer either from the want of water or manure. Sowings should be made either singly in 60's, or three seeds in a "48" pot, during late September or early in October, keeping the pots in the cold frame till about Christ- mas, when they should be brought indoors, and kept in a cool, airy house, where there is a maximum of light. At the end of January, or very early in February, the seedlings should be transferred to their flowering pots, using a moderately rich and holding compost, which should be made pretty firm. For the single plants, large 24's or 16-sized pots should be used, and 12-in. pots for the 48'3 with two or three plants in. At this stage it will be advisable to put a few Birch twigs around them, to keep them upright, 69 THE MODERN CULTURE OF SWEET PEAS. and if these supports are about eighteen inches in height, they will serve until the plants are fit for the longer stakes. After potting, they will not require much room for a time, and may be stood almost pot thick on the floor or s?age of a large house; and as the days lengthen, the tem- perature may be raised a little, but not over fifty degrees at night, particularly if the weather is cold, though, of course, during the day it may be run up a little with sun heat. Watering should be carefully done, keeping the pots, if anything, on the dry side. As growth increases, attend to staking, using three or four Bamboos to each pot, and tying them at the top to a wire hoop about twelve inches in diameter. This will keep them steady, and all that will be necessary afterwards is to tie a piece of matting around the stakes as the plants make growth, which, after the beginning of March, will be pretty rapid. After staking, the plants should be spread out to the space they are to occupy, and if in a house where it can be managed, such as a market- grower's house, the pots may be stood on two or three inches of short manure, to which the roots will soon find their way, and thus get a lot of nourishment at a time when they re- quire it, though it is not advisable to let them get a hold of this till after they commence flowering. As the plants grow and make root, water must be given a little more liberally, but if the plants are wanted to be kept stocky, it must not be overdone. The critical time with Peas in pots is just as they are throwing up the first lot of flowers, when an overdose of water, or a little too much heat in the house, will quickly cause the buds to drop. As, however, the sun at this time is gaining in power, the house may be liberally ventilated during the day, taking care to keep the night temperature about fifty to fifty-five degrees, or even a little warmer than 70 THE MODERN CULTURE OF SWEET PEAS. this after all danger of bud dropping is over. Also at this tim« the plants may be fed pretty liberally with liquid manure, soot, or any artificial that is not too burning; and when the flower stems show signs of shortening, a couple of waterings with nitrate of soda or nitrate of potash, half an ounce to the gallon, will greatly help them, and keep them up to the standard for some little time ; and where they have limited rooting space, it is really astonishing the amount of manure and water they will take, while it is fatal to their well-being to get them really dry. After flowering indoors for about a month, they may be shifted outside, and, if plunged on a vacant piece of ground, will still continue to give fair flowers, which, if left uncut, will provide a nice bit of early seed. Any of the varieties recommended in the preceding chapter would be suitable for growing indoors, but grow a good batch of one variety, rather than a few of several, as even for a private garden one often wants suflB.cient flowers of one variety to do a dinner table, and for market a few bunches of one variety or colour are of no use whatever. 7' THE MODERN CULTURE OF SWEET PEAS. THE DECORATIVE VALUE OF SWEET PEAS. Sweet Peas are recognised as amongst the most beautiful of subjects for house decoration. Whether used in the draw- ing-room or dining-room of the mansion, or in the humble cottage, they appear quite in keeping with their surround- ings, and unless actually crowded into the vases in tight bunches, they rarely look amiss. But as they keep longer and are more effective when lightly arranged, an endeavour should always be made to make the most of their possibili- ties, and no matter what kind of vase or bowl is used, this may always be accomplished with a little thought. Large, wide-mouthed bowls should first be filled with some close- growing foliage, such as Box, Privet, Asparagus Sprengerii, or even Asparagus foliage from the kitchen garden — in fact, anything that will keep the stems in position. In many instances it may not be necessary for it to show above the top of the vase or bowl, but where Asparagfus, Golden Privet, or things of like nature are used, it may add to the decora- tive effect, and thus serve two purposes. When used for dinner-table decoration, it probably will not be necessary to thus fill the vases, as, generally speaking, small upright vases are chosen, in which a little Sweet Pea foliage may be used just to keep the flowers in position. Very many people use Gypsophila in variety, and the small-flowered Polygonum, with the Peas, but for these I have no liking whatever, as THE MODERN CULTURE OF SWEET PEAS. they seem to detract somewhat from the colour of the flowers, whereas there are many kinds of foliage which, on the other hand, will add to their effect. Though they are very much in vogue at shows, it is not often that one sees the rustic table decorations used at borne. It is true that they are light in build, and very easy of arrangement, yet at the same time they look rather artificial. In my opinion nothing looks so well for the dinner table as nice, clear glass vases, varying in shape and height according to the size of the table, and beyond these there are now some very nice cut-glass bowls, with a kind of foot to them, which may be used as centrepieces. Nicely arranged, these look quite as well as any rustic arrangement that can be bought. The only difficulty with this class of centrepiece is that really good long-stemmed flowers and foliage are indis- pensable. About the worst centrepieces one can use are the old-fashioned plain or coloured glass epergnes, with a base and three arms and a centre to them. These take a pretty expert decorator to make them look even passable, and usually the tints in the glass are so crude that they kill almost any colour that is put in them. The ordinary amateur is hardly likely to have many silver ornaments for the table, but in larger establishments these are more frequently used than anything else, and after good glass they are the best, very many of the silver vases being made specially for such light flowers as Sweet Peas; whilst the old-fashioned wine cooler or decanter stands may be made very effective if lightly arranged, but these are only useful for one night, being so shallow that the flowers and foliage have to be put in wet sand, or some other suit- able substance, to keep them erect. Among so many beautiful varieties, it is really difficult to pick out individual names as the best for the purpose, 73 THE MODERN CULTURE OF SWEET PEAS. and personal tastes will always vary very much : a combina' tion of colours that would please one, another person or persons would take quite an exception to. To get the best decorative effect, one must always consider the colours of the paper or the upholstering in the room, and where the scheme of decoration is a quiet one, possibly in delicate blue, pink, or very light green, then nice quiet shades 'of Peas sihould be used, such as the whites, creams, pinks, light blues and mauves. But where the general scheme of decoration is heavier, and probably the furniture is of dark oak, then the brighter shades of Peas may be used to much effect; and here the crimsons, scarlets, bright rose and oranges will be seen to better advantage, and in this class of room, also, no mixing of colours should be attempted, relying more on good bright vases of self-coloured Poas. In the dining-room even more thought will be neces- sary, for while beautiful tableS may be made up (in daylight) with combinations of very pale colours, which may include the delicate shades of mauve and lavender, yet on lighting up at night these will often fail lamentably, sometimes owing to the flowers taking on quite a different tint of colour under artificial light, and at others owing to the colour of the lamp or candle shades. So, while almost any shade or colour may be used for a lunch table, very careful selections must be made for night, and many colours may then be used, and much more of them, that, if used on the lunch table, or at a show in competition, would be pronounced harsh or crude. Nearly all the shades of pink or cream-pink lend them- selves wonderfully well for table decoration, and may be used separately or in combination; and by far the best Pea I know for this is Gladys Burt. Many will ask what is the difference between Mrs. Henry Bell, Mrs. Hugh Dickson, 74 IRIS. THE MODERN CULTURE OF SWEET PEAS. and several others in that class. Well, just this — it is a brighter Pea in the bunch, and has such a beautiful touch of yellow and salmon running into the pink which makes it stand out, while it does not lose it in water; and though I consider Mrs. Hugh Dickson one of the finest Peas ever sent out, in water it takes on just that shade or tint of blue that puts many people against it for the table. Although I have previously spoken somewhat disrespect- fully of Constance Oliver as an exhibition Pea, yet this, with Evelyn Hemus, and here and there a spray of Clara Curtis or Paradise Ivory, makes a very pretty and attractive table, especially if a little Prunus Pissardi foliage is used here and there with it, but this must be quite young, or it will be too heavy. Another very nice Pea is Zarina, and a table of this alone is quite attractive, as is also a mixture of this and Lady Grisel Hamilton or Lavender George Herbert; or, if something more striking is required, a few blooms of Coccinea Spencer will brighten the table up wonderfully, but in each instance Zarina must predominate. Hordium jubatum, a grass very much like Barley in appear- ance, and often obtainable by the roadside, goes wonderfvilly well with the above colour — in fact, with nearly all the pink shades, the reddish-bronze tassels hanging very gracefully above the Peas. For those who prefer really brighter tables, some of the darker — or perhaps I should say brighter — colours may be used alone. Either Sunproof Crimson, Queen Alexandra, Edna Unwin, Coccinea, or Mrs. W. J. Unwin, will prove very cheerful, and quite a change from the more delicate colours. When using these, however, rather fewer Peas may be arranged in the vases, and such foliage as Goldeai Privet, Lonicera aurea reticulata, Comus Spathii aurea, Acer negundo variegata, and Vitis heder- aphylla, may be used with them ; or, if much green foliage is 75 THE MODERN CULTURE OF SWEET PEAS. preferred, then the addition of a few yellow-ooloured Peas will not hurt ^rith the crimsons and scarlets, but keep these rather as a groundwork to the vases, rather than mixing them together at one height. This principle, indeed, might well be employed right through whenever using two or more colours in a vase, and often it will be found that two colours will go well together when the one is used as a groundwork, which, if actually mixed, would be very undesirable. The same colour schemes may well be employed for filling the larger vases and bowls in other rooms, and, of course, there are any number of beautiful and striking com- binations that may be tried; and though I have not men- tioned the mauves, chiefly owing to their not lighting up well, yet the various shades are more than pleasing in day- light, and many of the pinks, cream-pinks, and yellows or creams, will mix well with them, as will also some of the orange and salmon shades, and two varieties I have not pre- viously mentioned, Edrom Beauty and Yvonne, which are two of the best colours I know of for lighting up, they being particularly bright, without being harsh. It does not fall to everyone's lot to have the decorating of large rooms for receptions, balls, and the like, but those to whom such work does come must recognise the adaptability of the Sweet Pea for this purpose. Very few flowers prove more effective, whether in bold masses of one colour, or in a combination of colours, and if suitable receptacles are to hand, either windows, fireplaces, columns, staircases, arches, and any other points where fioral decorations are necessary, can be quickly converted into places of much loveliness amd sweet scent. One could go on writing about the decorative qualities of the Sweet Pea for a very long time, but enough has been said to convince anyone that the Sweet Pea is as useful as it is beautiful ; and I will only add that the 76 THE MODERN CULTURE OF SWEET PEAS. simpler the arrangement, the greater its effectiveness. Finally, those who have no great amount of room to grow foliage plants, either indoors or out, to add to the beauty of their Peas in the matter of arrangement, should, if possible, grow a variegated Honeysuckle or two up a pillar, and a plant or two of Prunus Pissardii. Also a row of the ordinary vegetable Aspaiagus might be sown every year and left until the second season, and with this and a small patch each of the following grasses : Hordium jubatum, Agrostis nebulosa, and Eragrostis elegans, they will have sufficient useful foliage and grass to carry them through the season, even if they do quite a lot of decorating. G^g^g^gO 77 THE MODERN CULTURE OF SWEET PEAS. THE ENEMIES OF THE SWEET PEA. Arthough I have already touched somewhat upon the enemies of the Sweet Pea, it will perhaps be as well to sum- marise them here, and set forth, as far as my experience permits, the best antidotes or means of killing them. Mice. These are probably the Sweet Pea's worst enemies, as they will take the seed either out of the ground or out of the pats, unless precautions are taken against them, such as red-leading the seed before sowing, or, as I have seen advised, steeping in paraflB.n; but I do not vouch for the safety of this latter method, as I believe an extended soak- ing in paraffin would kill the germ of the Pea, which would not be less disappointing than the losses due to the mice. However, mice must be coped with in some way, for they also do a deal of damage, when the seedlings come through the ground, by eating off the young shoots; and where the seedlings are in frames, should they have to be kept covered for a day or two, the probabilities are they will attack them there. The best way to prevent this is to keep a few pieces of bread, covered with phosphorous paste, about the rows or frames, commencing when sowing the seed. If this is done, there will be very little trouble from mice. But if the grower is afraid that dogs or cats will pick up the poison, then he must resort to trapping, and, if the pests cannot 78 THE MODERN CULTURE OF SWEET PEAS. be caught with one class of trap, another must be tried, always remembering that mice must be dealt with early. WlEEWOEM. These on some classes of soil are very troublesome. If the grower knows that he has them to contend with, he should do as much hand picking as possible when trenching and preparing the ground, and use soot and wood ashes freely. If this does not kill them, it will at least drive them further down, and. possibly away from the roots until they get too good a hold to be injured. Where wireworm are particularly bad, a dressing of Vaporite some time before planting will do good, or, if holes are bored in the ground, and these filled up, it is supposed to be equally effective. Another remedy is to dress the ground with mustard dust, which is, I believe, the sweepings from the mustard factory; or even mustard seed sown in the autumn, and the plants dug in in the spring, is also supposed to be effective. Leather-Jackets. These are the grubs of the crane-fly, or daddy long-legs, and though personally I have not experienced any trouble from them with Sweet Peas, yet my acquaintance with them in connection with many other things leads me to advise growers that they are dangerous subjects. When a plant is found to go off yellow in the young state, a very careful examination of the ground may prove that the leather-jacket has been at work, but the grub is often difficult to find, owing to being of much the same colour as the soil. Un- fortunately, beyond actually crushing it with one's foot, we know of no method of killing it, so that wherever it exists I can only advise the grower iio prick out some strong- growing Lettuce plants among the Peas, to act as decoys. 79 THE MODERN CULTURE OF SWEET PEAS. These will soon show signs of attack, when the pests may be searched for and caught. Slvgb. Much may be done to exterminate these when preparing the soil. Plentiful supplies of soot when trenching, and a good dressing of lime some little time after, over the surface of the ground, will go a great way towards killing them; also, after planting, repeated dustings of soot should be given. I advised this practice once, when reading a paper on the Sweet Pea, and one gardener got up and said that no soot or lime would kill his slugs, as they varied from four to six inches in length. Could I advise him further? I am afraid I was a little severe in answering, for I said that if I bad slugs of that age or size, I should have to wait for them with a gun : there must have been a certain amount of neglect to have allowed them to attain such a size. Where slugs are really troublesome, pains must be taken to keep the soil very fine near the plants, and if little heaps of bran are put down here and there, these will attract them, and they may be captured if looked for with a lamp at night. BiBDB. Birds are frequently troublesome throughout the whole season. Whilst the plants are in the seedling state, the only way to protect them is to cover them with a fish net, or to well cotton them with black cotton. After they get tall enough to have small sticks put to them, the birds will usually leave them alone for a while; but later in the season, if the weather turns dry, they may renew their un- welcome attentions, either by chewing or biting out the points of the shoots, or doing the same with the flower-buds. Unfortunately, at this time, the plants are almost too high So THE MODERN CULTURE OF SWEET PEAS. to think of netting, while syringing with strong soot-water, quassia or paraffin emulsion, would damage the flowers; bo the only thing to do is to set up some form of scare, such as bright pieces of tin hung on thin Bamboos or stakes, which may be so arranged as to blow about in the wind, and now and again to clash against the tops of the stakes. The noise so produced, together with the reflections from the bright metal, will often keep the birds away. Gbeen-flt and Theip. It is not oftein that Sweet Peas are badly attacked by either of these two pests, which may usually be kept at bay by giving the plants a good hoseing or syringing occasionally during the growing season. But where other treatment becomes necessary, I would advise that all the flowers show- ing colour should be cut off, and the tips have a thorough good spraying over with Abol, using an Abol or Knapsack sprayer for the purpose. Abol is a very safe insecticide to use, and fairly cheap; but, if preferred, XL All liquid insecticide or paraffin emulsion would do as well, but it should be remembered that the young growing points are very tender, and will not stand too strong a mixture. In all cases these washes should be applied fairly late in the evening, and if the plants have a good spraying with clean water the following morning, the fly should be got rid of without any sort of damage to the plants. Streak. Streak, and what produces it, is a matter which is just now engaging the attention of nearly every Sweet Pea grower, as well as of a special committee of the National Sweet Pea Society. Unfortunately, up till now nothing very definite is known of it, except that it attacks the Peas 8l G THE MODERN CULTURE OF SWEET PEAS. very badly in various stages of their growth, but generally just as they have commenced blooming nicely. Reports are to hand of its appearance in all parts of the country, and in some instances all the plants have been quite killed by it. Personally, I cannot speak with any degree of confidence on the matter, but it is very certain that it does attack the plants at a time when they have a special drain on the roots. Adverse weather conditions also seem to encourage its appearance, the disease often showing itself after a few days of wet weather. Further, I am of the opinion that very heavy dressings of manure in the soil tend to render the plants liable to attack, though at the same time, even where no manure has been applied, the plants have been killed outright : so that it seems almost impossible to set up a proper theory. As, however, it is now being so thoroughly investigated, doubtless we shall soon learn its cause, and how best to deal with it. So far, I cannot defiinitely say that my plants have been attacked, certainly not those that were autumn-sown ; but when two or three vaorieties of the spring- sown were attacked with what I believed to be the streak, I promptly removed all the flowers, and gave four or five spray- ings on alternate evenings with a solution of sulphide of potas- sium, half an ounce to a gallon of water. When this touched the flowers, they were burnt, also here and there the foliage was marked, but not sufficiently to be serious, and after these dressings the plants seemed to grow away quite freely, and gave good, clean flowers again. I do not put this spraying forward as a remedy, but certainly it might be tried as a possible prevemtive. Thielavia basicola, a disease which attacks the roots of garden Peas, is, I am told on good authority, a fungus which is very commonly assiociated with the brown stripe on Sweet Peas; and though there appears to be no real cure for this, S2 THE MODERN CULTURE OF SWEET PEAS. it is suggested that a dressing of superphosphate and sul- phate of potash might be useful, and if the two diseases are closely allied, it would be well worth trying the same dress- ing for Sweet Peas. The foregoing are, I think, the principal enemies of the Sweet Pea, and while I hope that my readers may never be seriously troubled with any of them, I would say, in conclu- sion, to be forewarned is to be forearmed j never let these pests get too strong a hold, but take measures against them as soon as they are noticed, when they will be more quickly got rid of, with the least possible damage to the plants. 83 THE MODERN CULTURE OF SWEET PEAS. NOTES ON ILLUSTRATIONS. These have been selected to give as far as possible an idea of some of the best and most interesting of the new varieties seen during the season of 1910. Most of these are decidedly new breaks in colour, and are so beautiful and of such good form that I shall be disappointed if they do not prove even better on further acquaintance. Although a good deal of trouble has been taken to get the colouring of the plates as nearly correct as possible, yet it is hardly likely that they will prove quite as pleasing as the actual flowers, the colour- ing in four of the varieties chosen being very subtle. The variety Charles Foster, which is being sent out by Mr. Bolton, is without doubt one of the prettiest Peas yet seen, and if it can be generally grown in the same condition as Mr. Bolton showed it at the National show, it will become a general favourite. The colour is described by some as a pastel shade of pink. My own opinion is that it is really a delicate shade of lilac, the standard being margined with a touch of bronze. Mrs. W. J. Unwin is a variety fairly well known, at least to those who have visited the Sweet Pea trials both in 1909 and 1910. It might be described as a flame-coloured flower, being a rich orange-sn these on the plants that were not treated with it." Mr. H. F. WRAIGHT, The Gardens, "Rothwell," Bromley, Kent, writing December 99th, 1909, says—*' Your Manure for Sweet Peas is a grand thing. It p'aced my Peas at the head of our show last year, and I shall use more of it next season." Mr. O. TREVETHI'~'K, Wellington, New Zealand, writing January 6th, 1909, says-^" I would like to say right here that 3'our Manure (' Special Sweet Pea ') is a marvel, especially for colour ; you have a real good combination."— -Mr. TREVETHICK, writing January 25th, 1910, says : '* The Sweet Pea Trophy I have won outright." Mr. H. a. POX, Wellington, New Zealand, writing January 10th, 1910, says :— '* My vases of ' Helen Lewis ' and ' Mrs. Hardcastle Sykes * were the finest I have ever seen. The stems were immense. The bloams in shape, texture and colour were simply at the top. Your Sweet Pea Manure is, I consider, an absolute necessity to any exhibitor." Sold in Tins :— 1/- each (post free, 1/4) ; 2/6 each (post free, 3/-)- Sold In Bags:— 141b. 5/-; 2Slh. 8/6; 56 Ih. 14/-; 1121b. 25/-, Carriage Paid. Please drop Postcard forname of nearest Agent, or see page xix., N.S,P.S, Annnal. Sole Proprietor— G. H. MACKERETH, Ulverston. Auraras, f9tO. SILVER MEDAL National Bweec Pea Show, SILVER MEDAL Shrewsbury FlorM Fete. J II STEVEHSOH'S - Selected - Sweet Peas Aworaa, 1919. SILVER-CILT MEDAL Southampton Boae 8how. SILVER-GILT MEDAL Southampton Sweet Pea Show. I shall be pleased to receive enquiries ar\d orders for all Novelties and Standard Varieties of ^ ^ Sweet Peas. ^ ^ Ha\/ing been for some years a groWer of SWeet J^eas for J^arket and Seed, I can With confidence adVise on Varieties to groW, and offer only Selected Stocks of Seed. jVly Catalogue Will be forWarded, post free, on application, and all enquiries Will recei\^e my personal and prompt attention. J. STEVENSON, E.R.H.S. Seedsman and Sweet Pea Specialist, WIMBORNE, DORSET. DOES FEEDING PAY? YES, if eareftdly and seientifleally done. Sweet Peas like a Change of Food SUCCESS can always be obtained by using LC Fruitier C"" ^°^^ "l^''*' Awarded) HHD Sweet Pea Manures (HIGHLY SOLUBLE) '^ READ THE FOLLOWING EXTRACT FROM "SWEET PEA ANNUAL" '• The reason we tried Le Fruitier on Sweet Peas was that it proved upefui for Culinary Peas the previous year. It waa evident directly after the plants were put out that the row specially treated was happy. These plants presented no trace of disoase all the season, although in the next row (not forked in with this manure), and which was only six feet away, more than half the plants died " D. BEEVES, Oefn Glas Gardens. No. 1 Prize Coid Medal Manure LE FRUITIER. For mixint; with soil, wben preparing for planting^. Far Top Draaainer; to be watered in and used alternately with Sweet Pea Manure. PRICES :— 20/- pep ewt. ; J-ewt. 11/-; 28 Ibg. «/-: 14 lbs. 3/6; 7 lbs. 2/S ; sample tin 1/6 post free. A CLIENT'S OPINION. "It now gives me great pleasure to testify to the great value of your Sweet Pea Manure. Last year they were very disappointing:, but I am pleased to say, with the aid of this manure, thev are the admiration of everyone, the colour and size of the blooms leavlni; nothing to be desired, and we grow largely of these." W. ALLUM, Clewer Mead Gardens, Windsor. WOOD'S SWEET PEA MANURE (HIGHLY SOLUBLE). For Top DreasinB; t« be watered in. For Liquid Application. PRICKS :-15/- per ewt. ; i-ewt- 8/- ; 28 lbs. 51- ; 14 lbs. 3/6 ; 7 lbs. 21- ; sample tin 1/- post free. W. WOOD & SON, Ltd., The Regal Horticulturists. ST. Telephone:— Tottenham 80 ft 81. Telegrams :— "Puneheto, London." By Appointment By Appointment. MKSSRS. DOBBIK & GO. are the introducers of many of the best Sweet Peas. For example— Mrs. Hugh Dickson, Mrs. Andrew Ireland, Masterpiece, Edrom Beauty, Dobbie's Sunproof Crimson, Arthur Green, Ivanhoe, Isobel Malcolm, Menie Christie, Princess Victoria, The King, The Marquis, Prince Olaf, Dobbie's Mid Blue, Hannah Dale, Mrs. Collier, etc. We oflfer — A Coileotion of 24 Standard Spencer Varieties, guaranteed to give satisfaction, for 5s. A Collection of 36 Varieties, including all our recent Novelties, for 10s. If you want the purest and the best English-Grown Seed, write for Catalogue to— The Royal Seedsmen) KDINBURGH. (SEED FARM, MARKS TET, ESSEX.) Reliable Home-Grown Stocks. Tbe following are a few np-to-date varieties extracted flrom our catalogue— Asta Ohn, lavender — Aurora Sponcor, creamy white, flaked orange Arthur Vnvuln, improved Apple-bloesom Spencer Clara CurtiSt best waved cream (true stock) .. Etta Dyke, pure wliite . . Earl Spencerg Spencer form of Henry Eokford Edna Unwin (improved), a glorified St. Oeorge Gltidys Burtg salmon-pink, primrose ground.. Halen Lewis; salmon-pink Mrs. Hugh Dickson, cream, overlaid roay-pink HIastorploeo, lavender Mrs. Breatlmoro, cream ground, pink edge .. Mrs. Henry Bell, eream, overlaid carmine-pink Mrs A. Ireland, finest bicolor . . Mrs. Hardoastle Sykes, the best bluah-pink Mrs. Routxahn, apricot, overlaid beautiful pink Mrs. Tomnsend, white ground, violet edge .. Hublan (novelty), the finest maroon Paradise Ivory, ivory, tinged pinkish buff Sunproof King, intense cnmson, guaranteed sunproof Special discount at four shillings in the £ on all orders of is. ed. and upwards for ca^ with order. Send for our up-to-date list of the best varieties of Sweet Peas. 5* DlDC & SOHiJ, LTDm Farnham, Surrey of Seeds. Price. 2S 3d. 2B Bd. 13 6d. SO ed. 2B 3d. 8 Is. to ed 12 6d. BO 3d 12 ed. 12 ed: 20 6d. 18 3d. 18 3d. 18 3d 18 3d. 12 Bd a 6d. 18 3d 18 Bd. BENTLEY'S Sweet Pea Manure This manure is a perfect fool- coarse grade adapted for digging into the soil before sowing or planting oat ; fine grade for top-dressing during active growth. Bentley's Sweet Pea Manure produces the best obtain- able results in quantity, size and substance of flower, brightness of colour, strength and length of flower- stem, and prolongation of flowering period. DIRECTIONS FOR USE. In Autumn, prepare the soil by (figging for the clumps or rows, about 3 feet deep and 2 feet across ; dress the bottom with Bentley's Sweet Pea M a n u re (Coaesb Grade), at the rate of 1 to IJ ois. to the square foot ; above this give a dressing of good farmyard manure, and fill up with good loam- left rough and dressed with Bentley's Sweet Pea Manure (OoAsfiB Grade) at the rate of 1 oz. per square foot. During active growth use the Pinb Grade of Bentley's Swfeet Pea Manure, by top dressing both sides of the rows (about 1^ feet wide), at the rate of 2 ozs. per yard, and in the same proportion for clumps and pots, taking care that the manure does got come into contact with the haulm or bine. Apply the first dressing when the plants are about li to 2 feet high ; the second dressing just before the flower -buds form, and further applications of half strength may be continued fortnightly throughout the flowering season. Well water the ground before and after applying the manure. PRICES: 7 lbs., 2/6 ; 14 lbs., 4/- ; 56 lbs., 12/- ; 1 ewt., £1 ; 5 ewts., £4 10s. TESTIMONIALS. Mr. Thos. Stevenson Woburn Place, Addlestone. " With reference to your Sweet Pea Manure I had from you this season, I must say I found it very stimulating and beneficial to the plants. In the very early stages cf growth I never use artificial manures for the Peas; but, on using it after tbey had began to bloom, I found added considerable vigour to the plants, with a proportionate increase in the size of the blooms." Mr. A. E. Usher, Head Gardener to Sir Randolf BAKtR, Bart, Ranston House, Blandford. "I used your special Svreet Pea Manure on some of my rows without any other artificial manure ; the results were good. From these rows I got some of my very best flowers for exhibition ; it is a safe and very reliable fertiliser." GHEMICAL WORKS, BARROW-ON-HUMBER, HULL Bolton's English-Grown Sweet Peas The Finest in the World. AWARDED 80 GOLD MEDALS. Robert Bolton has long specialized in Sweet Peas, and has raised such sterling novelties as MRS. HARD- CASTLE SYKES, voted by the leading Sweet Pea Experts to be the best Sweet Pea in existence. BOLTON'S PINK, MRS. HENRY BELL, CLARA CURTIS, TOM BOLTON, QUEEN OF NORWAY, and many more of the leading varieties. Send direct for Trae Stocks. 20 acres grown for Seed. 1911 Novelties. CHARLES FOSTER, RED CHIEF, MRS. WATSON, MRS. BRYCE, MARCHIONESS OF TWEEDDALE, LANCASHIRE. MRS. ALEC WARE. Catalagne oantalning all tbe leading varieties, post free. ROBERT BOLTON, - - Zbc Sweet pea Speciallgt - - WARTON, CARNFORTH. Have proved their excellence the world over. THE NOVELTIES FOR 1911 ARE GRAND. DO YOU KNOW W. U. UN WIN raised the follow- Ing varieties and many ethers ^^"^"^ -^ which have proved their sterling merit 1— A. J. Cook, Chrlssle Unwin, Doris Burt, Douglas UnwIn, Edna UnwIn, Eric Harvey, Frank Dolby, Freda UnwIn, Gladys Burt, Gladys UnwIn, Nora UnwIn, and Mrs. W. U. UnwIn, Catalogue, containins particnlars of only the best varieties and beautiful Coloured Plate, Post Free. W.J. UNWIN, Sweet Pea Specialist, Robert Holmes, f.r.h.Sm Tuckswood Farm, NORWICH, Mbolesale Seeb (Brower anb Sweet Ipea IRovelt^ IRalser. Sweet Peas a Speciality. US' All Sweet Peas supported by several miles wire trellis and by 10,000 yards wire netting. ova STOCKS ABE TRUE TO NAME, AND SAVED UNDER OUR PERSONAL SUPERVISION. ^V^-IUI.B.I.H.I.I.IJM^^ Varietiea for Exhibition or Garden Dacoratlon, 3cl., ed., and 1/- per packet. Seedsvien by Appointment to H .M . the King, KewHeadOfflee; RAYNES PARK, LONDON, S.W.