SWEET PEA' CULTURE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15884, 3 April 1915, Page 4 (Supplement)

SWEET PEA' CULTURE.

PRACTICAL INSTRUCTION,

FOR GARDEN AND EXHIBITION

THE'manv and beautiful varieties oi sweet peas now" in cultivation owe their common origin to Lathvms odoratus, introduced from Sicilv in the year 1700. Sweet peas are so generally known ami immensely popular that they are everybody's flower, enthusiasts discard every other flowering plant for their favourite., and think no trouble too great in the preparation of the soil selection. of varieties, and assiduous care and intense cultivation to attain the highest results, especially when they are growing to compete at shows. Lovers of sweet peas owe a debt of gratitude to that grand old man. Henry Kckford. whose devotion to the flower and the wonderful success lie attained in producing now creations hv cross-fertilisation, easily gave him the leading position, which he maintained for many years, as a sweet pea specialist. The advent of the variety, Countess Spencer, was a decided break, and the forerunner of a new type, and the parent of the Spencer family, which continues to produce the latest and best up-to-date novelties, and that has placed the sweet peas amongst the most popular of all flowers. Preparing the Soil. Preparation of the soil is of the greatest importance in the successful cultivation of the sweet pea. either for the production of exhibition blooms or for ordinary cutting, and the embellishment of the garden. In soils that are naturally deep and newly-broken up and contain a plentiful supply of humus bastard trenching may be sufficient: but to obtain the best results and the longest season of flowering the ground should be deeply trenched from 2ft to 2Jft deep, and about 2ft wide, similar to those for celery. Dig out the surface pit and throw on one side, next take out the second spading, pla< ing the soil on the opposite side, dig or fork tip the subsoil without taking it out, incor- ' porating some stable manure and any garden refuse or leaves or brick rubbish or mortar that may be obtainable ; return the second spading, also adding manures, which should be kept 12in below the surface at the finish. Return the top spit, adding a sprinkling of bonedust, basic slag, and soot well mixed with the soil, which should be in good heart and in friable condition for the reception of the plants or seeds at the proper time. The Time to Start. During the summer or early in the autumn is the best time to prepare the soil. In light soils cow manure or wellrotted horse manure is the best for mixing with the soil beneath the surface filling. Where the soil is poor and clayey some cultivators tako out some of the subsoil and replace it with turfy loam, taken from a pasture, thus providing a, porous compost for the roots. Alter filling in the trenches apply a liberal dressing of new slaked lime, over the surface. Sowing the Seeds. The first week in April is the most suitable time. Sow in boxes not less than 6in deep, filled with nice, friable soil, with sufficient sand to keep it open, and a little strawy manure at the bottom. When sown in shallow boxes the roots are interfered with by coming in contact with the bottom of the box. Sow in rows, labelling each variety. Place the boxes in a frame until the seeds germinate, air well, and when the seedlings are about 2in high remove the boxes to an open fairly dry, sunny position. Planting Out Seedling Peas. The seedlings should be ready for transplanting during the second week in May. A day or two before planting add a light dressing of superphosphate, sprinkled over the surface, and lightly forked in. The plants may be arranged in rows or in clumps, the row system being preferable. When growing for exhibition a good plan to plant in a double row at a distance of 12in between the plants, and the saW distance between the rows. Take each plant up carefully out of the box, disentangle the roots, make a good hole with the trowel or spade, carefully spread out the roots, cover with soil, which should be firmly pressed. Sowing Seeds in Open. Outdoor sowing is preferred by some growers. For rows draw drills about 2in deep, in which to evenly sow the seeds, arranging them about 2in apart. For clumps sow in a circle. As a precaution against small birds and mice a good plan is to coat the seed with a little red lead. With the cheaper varieties the seeds may be sown thicker to make sure of a full crop, as it is easy to thin out to the proper distances afterwards. Staking the Plants. Staking must be arranged for either before or shortly after the sowing or planting. With the present system of cultivation the plants attain a height of from 9ft to 12ft. There are several modes of supporting them. A good plan is to erect a good, strong post at each end, with as many intermediate supports as may be necessary; to these nail two cross pieces, one near the top, the other about a foot from the ground, these will hold the posts in position. Attach large meshed wire netting or strain wires from the end of the rows to train the plants to. For those plants that are arranged in clumps bamboo supports are much the neatest and best, driven in about 6in from the plants at the outside and brought together and tied at the tops. Sweet Peas for Garden Decoration. The majority of the planters grow for this purpose, and for the plentiful supply of flowers tor cutting. The plants will grow and thrive in almost any soil or situation, provided it has been well worked and properly prepared some time prior to the sowing and planting. Always provide good drainage and a loose, triable soil tor the roots, and manuring freely and using lime for the surface dressing as in the preparation for exhibition purposes. Sweet peas are never out of place for the embellishment of the garden and grounds, tastefully arranged in dumps here and there throughout the mixed border they present a lovely effect. They may also be utilised for screens and to tram up the side of house fronts and against wooden fences. They may also be planted to furnish the wire netting around the tennis lawn, j When grown for above purposes the plants | may be closer together, and need very J little labour in training and tieing-up, i Allow them to grow as naturally as posI sible. To obtain the best and most artistic results care will be necessary in tho selection and arrangement of the colours. For massing separate colours should be chosen. 'The garden may be made gay for several months of the year and at little cost by this highly popular and charming . flower. Replying to a correspondent the Financial Secretary to the War Office states that a wife married after her husband's enlistment is not debarred from separation , allowance, provided a definite arrangement • to marry existed previously. "It | s 0 f , course, desirable," the letter adds, '"to I exclude those who marry for the sake of obtaining separation, allowance..'! -