NOTES ON SWEET PEAS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVII, Issue 4, 24 January 1912, Page 41

NOTES ON SWEET PEAS.

Lovers of Sweet Peas are always interested in the novelties introduced each year, and as years go by novelties seem to increase so in number that the grower has difficulty in deciding which of them to grow. Unfortunately few have an opportunity of seeing the new varieties, and have to depend on catalogue descriptions, with the result that often they are greatly disappointed with some of their purchases. That, at least, has been my experience. This season, however, I have made a point of visiting a number of principal raisers of new Sweet Peas, in order that I might see the new varieties growing, and J most interesting and instructive time had. I kept a note of my opinion of the merits of each variety I saw, and in looking over these notes it is remarkable how many bear the note ‘"Don’t grow.” Still, there are others of exceptional merit, and of these the best, in my Opinion, is Melia. This variety 1 had the pleasure and privilege of seeing in the raiser’s garden, namely, Mr. M;|ltolm, of Duns. The colour is a softer 4 Shade than Earl Spencer, containing ’ more of the golden-yellow tint which gives it a rich appearance, and, moreover, I am prepared to say it is snnf'roof. I saw it at various times growng in the blazing sun, and it had no Appearance of being burnt. It is absolutely fixed both as to. type and colour. most important point in its favour, however, is its growth and form. In eowth it is much more vigorous than iy other of the orange-coloured varieties, and the bloom is much. Jarger than any other variety of this shade of Colour. Messrs. Dobbie and Co., Edinburgh, who are sending Melba out, I Observe state in their catalogue that the bloom measures 2j inches across the •tandard. That I can vouch to be corf*ct; many of the blooms are even larger. The form of the standard,

however, M the wonderful feature of the flower. It is bold, exceptionally broad, and upright, of the best Spencer form, and in my opinion has the best and most distinct standard of any sweet pea in existence. Another novelty of exceptional merit I saw in Mr. Malcolm’s garden is Rosabella. This is also a wonderful sweet pea, and one which every lover of the queen of annuals should grow. The colour is rich deep rose pink, the standard having a distinct white base, which shows up the pink colour brightly. Probably it is the most vigorous variety we have.—G. L. Moffat, in "The Gardener.”