Sweet Peas.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 23 April 1910, Page 4

Sweet Peas.

Reports from the Old World show that this flower is increasing in popularity and the followers of the cult are increasing in numbers a-iLcl in their in tensity in relation to the cultivation of peas. It will be of interest to dominion growers to know what Home authorities suggest sliould be done in tho preparation of the soil. One leading grower suggests the following preparation of tho soil

"The preparation o." the land for spring sowing of sweet peas should be completed betimes. Tho best time for sowing the seeds is the third week in March; where tho custom is mot adopted of autumn seeding, now much in favour with expert cultivators. Land worked ivow, as opportunity offers, is benefited by lying fallow for some tinin before seed sowing.

"It is practically impossible to dig too deeply for sweet peas, and it is not easy to make the land tcnj rich for them. But, although deep treuc'hirng and generous manuring aro essentially helpful to full florescence, there are conditions to remembered and observed as regards! both. Soil which lias not been previously sweetened deeply by bastard trencbinig must not have its lower layers brought to tho surface. However deeply it is dug, the sweet top layers of soil must be left in their own position as trenching proceeds. The heavy applications of natural manure must not be intermixed with the surface layers of soil, where, they will be in contact with tho first growths of seedling roots. The immures should be worked into the second spit or placed between the first and second scjils. The top soil may be rendered richer by forking into it a very moderate supply of bone meal or bone flour. A suitable complete fertiliser for sweet, peas may also be advantageously used, as a stimulative top-dressing later, whan the plaints aro coming into flower.

"When the timo comes for sowing, whether the seeds are to Tjb sown in lines or clusters, the points to observe are to prepare a flat bottom to the drills where they are to be sown, to make it (|iiite level, and lender it moderately firm before the seeds aro set."

Continuing the subject, the same writer suggests the best sweet pea* to grow. The "audit" of the M'a tional Sweet I'ea Society is founded upon two things. Count is taken of the number of times a variety lws been selected by exhibitors to be included in their competitive collections. This shows popular estimation as gauged by the views of exhibiting cultivators. Then, count is taken of the number of times a variety lia.s appeared in first prize awards. This marks tlio views of expert judges.

'Tt is interesting to note comparison of results. rn any oasa am amateur lover of sweet peas cannot go wrong if he selects for his garden the varieties which figure in the lists we now epitomise.

"The best white sweet pea now selected by common agreement is that named Ftta Dyke. Cpon this point popular opinion and the judges are agreed. The best crimson and sc«Met sweet pea in popular estimation is The King, but judges gallantly award the palm to Queen Alexandra. There is here a,n interesting rivalry. As regards sweet peas classed as "rose* and carmine" there is unanimity of opin-

ion. John Ingram reigns first favourite. Tlio same agreement exists mi regard to yellow and buff colour. Mere Clare Curtis is first by consent. For a 'blush' sweet pea Mrs Hardcastle tSykos is the .agreed champion. In regard to blues, there is some difference of choice. The public favour rests with Lord Nelson. The judges bracket A. J. Cook and Lord Xelson together. In the case of pink sweet peas public favour remains censba'iit to Countess Spencer. The judges put Audrey Crier on a level with her. Constance Oliver is popular favourite as a cream pink. Here again the judges give a colleague to the champion in Mrs H. Ik'll. Amongst orange shades of colour Helen Lewis has uauanimous choice, and Frank Dolby has the same honour as a. lavender swe<;t pen. In all the following cases there are no differences of opinion : Rosio Ad>ams is the Jx'st amongst violets a,ml purples. Menie Christie reigns C|iieen of magentas. Fve--Iynyn Heinus is the best picotee edged fancy variety, and the Marquess has 110 rival as a mauve beauty."

Perhaps the most intei'estina; part, of tlio paper is that relating to peed production of the sweet pea. This to Xew Zealand growers lias more than passing value for tlio saving of •nveet pea seed in tlio dominiion. is now becoming an important commercial item, this especially in tlio XVrtli Tslnnd. where tlio sweet r>ea does particularly well. New Zealand saved seed has more than a local reputation, for strain ge to re : late, onite a qnnntity of swl is annually sent to Australia, and some even to Europe.