MT FAVOURITE SWEET PEA FOR 1910.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIV, Issue 16, 20 April 1910, Page 45

MT FAVOURITE SWEET PEA FOR 1910.

The question at the present time in the minds of Sweet I’ea growers is, Which varieties am I to grow for exhibition in 1910? That question was settled by some in the autumn, but we are apt to be led away from our well thought out plans when the catalogues come to hand with a glowing account of varieties we have never seen or heard of; and whatever our conclusions may be we are tempted to try new sorts which may prove to be disappointing. As it may be a help to many in selecting their Sweet Peas, I give a list of what I am growing for exhibition this year. There are many good things I do not grow owing to my space and time being limited. White.—l give the preference to Etna Dyke. I have seen good stocks of Etta Dyke under other names. If I were growing one white it would be this one. I am also growing Nora Unwin, Snowflake, and Money-maker. Crimson.—l put my faith on Sunproof Crimson, King Alfonso, Sunproof, and G. C. Waud, which I considered symonymous when growing. These are not so large as The King, but they stand the sun better, and this is an important point.

Yellow or Cream.—There is nothing, I think, to excel a good stock of Clara Curtis. I have seen this Pea under various names, I have also noticed a bunch shown as Clara Curtis that contained different varieties. I am growing various stocks and under various names, and I shall keep a keen eye on them during the growing and flowering season to see the difference, if any, and will give due credit to the best stocks.

Rose and Carmine. —On John Ingman my hopes are built. I always consider Geo. Herbert a fine stock of John Ingman, still too near to come under another name, and as the latter was out first I give that name the preference. Marjorie Willis I consider good, as the white throat lights up the flower to advantage.

Light Pink (White Ground).—Mrs Hardcastle Sykes (synonym Princess Victoria). This variety is without doubt the finest in its colour, and I always think shows to advantage in the bunch more than any other Pea grown. Deep Pink (White Ground). —I give preference to Audrey Crier. Many will say, "But that does not come true!” No, certainly it does not. It will break away, and I do not know if that is not to our advantage, for if the stock of Audrey Crier is good it will only throw three sports, viz., a glorified Helen Lewis which has a marvellous colour; a good white of Etta Dyke form, and an improved Mrs H. Sykes. Surely these are all welcome to an exhibitor. Therefore I say, grow plenty of Audrey Crier. Then we have Countess Spencer in this class, while M. A. Linzee and Lady Sarah Spencer are both good.

Pink (Cream Ground). —Constance Oliver is a variety of sterling merit. Mrs Henry Bell has given me more bloom with fives than any other I have grown. I am growing Mrs Hugh Dickson, which is considered an improvement on the above. Syeira Lee gave me excellent blooms last year, and I must grow it again. I consider this to be Audrey Crier on a cream ground. Like that variety, it breaks away, throwing Helen Lewis on a cream ground (Helen Grosvenor) . Gladys Burt is another good sort which I have added to my list. Lavender. —The varieties that were finest with me last year were Lavender George Herbert and Mrs C. Foster. I am including Masterpiece, Frank Unwin, and Mrs E. Noakes. These are all good, and in keen competition we cannot do without anv of them.

Orange Shades. —Helen Lewis, in my opinion, needs a lot of beating when well grown. Maggie Stark I consider brighter in colour, but it has a tendency to throw some deformed flowers; still, I grow both. Dazzler and Edna Unwin, although plainer in the standard after the St. George type, are bright and good.

Orange Salmon. —Nancy Perkin is very striking in colour, but it needs to be well grown to be of value to the exhibitor. Earl Spencer I consider the brighter of the two. and as they arc both on the market I hope to give them a fair test this season.

Mauves. —The Marquis I am growing, as it gave me good flowers last season, and was most reliable. Tennant Spencer and Queen of Norway are also good varieties in this colour. Picotee (White Ground). —Elsie Herbert and Picotee are both excellent, and

can be included in most collections. I am growing both. Picotee (Cream Ground).—l have Mrs C. W. Breadmore, an excellent grower, and Evelyn Hemus, which, though not quite so vigorous, has the Picotee edge better defined. Both are good varieties. Maroon.—Tom Bolton is a very fine flower and vigorous grower. Othello Spencer did well with me last year. Douglas Unwin and Silas Cole I am also growing.

Magenta.—Menie Christie is a great favourite and a flower that shows others to advantage.

Bicolors.—Mrs A. Ireland is a bicolor I admire. Although not so robust a grower as I should like, it is at present easily the best of its colour. Blue. —Zephyr did well with me late in the season last year. I have also added Kathleen McGowan, which I consider good, and Flora Norton Spencer; the latter variety lacks a little in size, but the blooms are of a colour we require.

Scarlet. —I have seeds of Improved Geo. Stark, which is known also as Queen Alexandra Spencer, and if up to its silver medal form it will be welcome.

Striped Flowers.—l am growing Aurora Spencer, which is a vigorous grower and a good flower of the striped section; Senator Spencer and W. R. Beaver. All these are good. These are, I think, the best of my named varieties. They are all waved, an I do not grow any of the old type for exhibition. I have realised that it is no use trying to meet twentieth century conditions with nineteenth century blooms.— THOMAS JONES, Ruabon.