A FEW REFLECTIONS ON SWEET PEAS AND THEIR CULTURE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIV, Issue 16, 20 April 1910, Page 39

A FEW REFLECTIONS ON SWEET PEAS AND THEIR CULTURE.

By REV. WM. B. SCOTT, Kaponga. Taranaki.) The craze for the Sweet Pea is yet in its infancy as far as this part of Taranaki is concerned. At the recent Horticultural Show at Kaponga, we had 4G

entries for the Sweet Pea section, but only the exhibits of three competitors could be classed as show blooms. Thongti still an infant, the craze is growing stronger every season, and would soon be a full grown child if the Spencer varieties could be persuaded to seed as pro

lificly as the older kinds. The Spencers are shy seeders, consequently their grow ers have few seeds to give away, and the ordinary amateur is aghast at the idea of paying Gd or 9d for a packet contain ing only half-a-dozen seeds. Grudging the cost, and sometimes anathematizing the neighbouring amateur w ho keeps the choice varieties to himself, they satisfy themselves with the Grandillom kinds. After the recent Shows round Mt. Eg mont, the numbers of Spencer growers should be greatly increased. This year 1 intend experimenting with at least 50 of the latest varieties. If asked to name twelve good varieties to grow during the incoming season 1 should recommend the following: Mrs. Hardcastle Sykes (an easy first); Zero or Ella Dyke, for a white variety; Mrs. Rontzahn Spencer; Evelyn Hem us; King Edward Spencer: Mrs. Andrew Ireland; Elsie Herbert; Constance Olive; Helen Lewis, and 'the three new varieties just put on the market, viz.. Marie Corelli; W. T. Hutchins, and Miriam Beaver. At present. I am undecided as to whether it is more desirable to grow Sweet Peas in clumps or rows.

This year f intend to try them in rows on wire netting. 1 have discovered that in sheltered situations, but mu close to roots of tree* ami shrubs, the plant* do l»est both as to growth of bush, length of stem, and beauty of bloom. Trenching is absolutely nece*sary. for I have found Sweet Pea roots tpiilt* a foot into the *olid sandstone. Sweet peas of the rarer sorts should be *t.tried in pot* ami then removed to open ground when all danger of pests is over. They grow equ.illx well in boxes. W hen ready for trans planting convey boxes to prepared ground, break open the box ami remove plants. They transplant ven readily. Ihe worst enemy of the Sweet Pea. in its young state, is the ever present and ever-ready slug. All sorts of expedient* were tried to minimise the depredations of this pest. but the only really successful device was a zinc feme round the clumps. These fences were made from the lining of a packing case, from which I cut strip* about three inches wide. The enemy never scaled this barricade. It is a sure defence and well worth the trouble of preparation. In conclusion let me say. to the one who is thinking of growing Sweet Peas, pay a little more for Hu* newest and best seeds, and the grow ing of this beautiful flower will Income to you so entrancing that you will soon be reckoned amongst those who are qualifying to be accounted as mentally afflicted.