SWEET PEA COMPETITION.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXIV, Issue 17664, 13 September 1919, Page 7

SWEET PEA COMPETITION.

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY'S

FIXTURE

The Sweet Pea Competition, open, to scholars attending the several schools in the Wanganui district, and inaugurated by the above society, has been the means of a very lively interest being taken in the culture of sweet peas by a large number of scholars. The Horticultural Society is giving the foll6wing prizes: First £2 2s. second £1 Is, third 10s 6d. The competition be limited to three varieties, three blooms of each (Spencer type), and the seed for the competition was distributed by the society to the several competitors free.

The society has received splendid reports from the many growers,, and the seedlings are doing well, and there can be no doubt that the competition, which will be held about the first week in December, will be a big success.

A few notes on the treatment seedlings require at this stage will no doubt be appreciated X~j grower:;.

The plants should be given supports now, and not allowed to fall on the ground. They require encouragement to climb, and if planted in an exposed position should be tied to the supports until they are strong enough to climb themselves. -

It is well to keep the ground around the plants well hoed, and free from weeds. A little lime and soot, or wood ashes dusted around the plants will be very beneficial. The plants will not* need any watering this month. The surface at times may appear dry, but there will be plenty of moisture underneath if the directions given in a former article have been carried out.

Next month it may be found necessary to thin out some of the laterals, and allow from two to four stems only to each plant,, as wkon sweet peas are grown for exhibition purposes more intensive, methods of culture must.be carried out than if grown for ordinary decorative purposes only.

The hon. secretary of the society, Mrs. E. H. Suisted, Box 339, will be pleased to give growers any information they require in connection with the com/petition.