Evening star., 1901-05-25

When nv ladye faire dons her garden
hat and gardening gloves, she can have no
more picturesque background for her la
bors than plot of sweet peas. There is
something exquisitely attractive in the
fairvIike flowers in spite of the sadly ma
teriaIistic association of the name, con-
turing up as it does visions of purecs and
stews
The sweet pea is a native of the land of
sunshine and flowers. 1t grows on the sun
ny hillsides of Sicily and of Italy. 1t is the
most charming OF all the ANNALS, but has
only of late been accorded a position in the
floral aTistOCraCy. 1t is becoming each sea
son more and more a fashionable plant, for
il makes a charming nOSegay and is de-
lightful accessory t. the list of table dec
Orations. Its graceful. vinelike qualities
especially commend it for that office as
We'll as for outdoor service as a screen for
UnSighuy hooks and craunies.
Any woman may attempt the culture of
sweet peas without laying herself open to
the charge of presumption from seasoned
flower growers who regard with sCOrn the
first uncertain efforts of the humble anna
teur. There is something essentially FEM
mime about the sweet pea. A woman who
made fad of raising dahlias or holly
hooks or begOniaS one would naturally put
down a sturdy, strong minded individual
whose aesthetic graces We're not pro-
nOunced feature of her character, but with
the sweet pea it is different.
The flowers are easy of culture. Any gar
den plot, if it is properly prepared. will
yield a luxuriant crop. which may save the
family many a round bill at the florists. a
box OF the blossoms packed in damp cotton
and inclosed in tin box may be mailed to
the dear bereaved friend with whom it is
possible TO SympathiZe only in spirit. They
may be sent to the bedside of the invalid
exf@ling vitality in their fragrance and
beauty. When guests gather about the
family board, the flowers in the center of
the table will afford that delicate touch of
color which is at once restfuI and tonic in
effect.
Beauties Of a Lawn.
When residence is surrounded by moth
ing but grass plot. the lady of the house
should rejoice. for she will have practically
no difficulty to be in the fashion and at
the same time achieve a handsome decora-
tion.
A plot Of sweet peas. variegated In color
makes a handsome border for the space dt-
rectly in front of the veranda. If the porch
Is raised very much from the ground the
plants trained TO run up a screen or
strings, Will form a gorgeous draperv Of
blossoms. The vines will grow to a height
of five feet If planted in congenial posi-
tiOn and soil.
Ugly cellar doors may be screened from
sight by lattices over which clusters of
sweet peas are trained Cellar windows
which do not open Outwardly and those
much the same way.
Banks of Blossoms.
clever woman can design and execute
her own landscape gardening If il Is not on
a scale beyond her strength. Last summer
lady who had an hour of leisure in the
morning and a couple of hours in the even
ing laid out her tiny grass plots as cres-
cents. the inside borders of each being.
fenced with latticew0rk, over which she
EA,4f ns.l -i,,ac
when they fowered it looked as if she had
built bank of blossoms. Within the circle
bordered by the beds she was accustomed
to entertain her friends Low rustic chairs
Were placed there when the weather was
pleasant and guest was expected The
delicious fragrance OF the flowers and the
beauty Of their variegated colors made il a
charming nook, and As the vines were tan
ones the lattces which they oyerran n
screened the group from the eyes of pass
ers-by.
The Gypsy Kettle.
The old-fashioned use of the gypsy kettle
Is familiar to all gardeners. An old kettle
supported on crossed sticks is filled with
seeds OF flowers and vines whose foliage
overhangs the sides Vines are trained 10
climb the supporting sticks and when
sweet peas are used a cluster of red flower
Ing plants should be laid out under the ket-
tie to simulate flame. White, pink and
inauve flowers may be combined in this
decoration.
The best soil for sweet peas Is cool
loam. 1t should likewise be moist and It's
temperature should rary little throughout
the season.
The ground should always be prepared
Tor the seed. n trench foot wide and a
loot deep is dug and rich. dry fertilizer is
put In to the height of about six inches
"eil-rOtted manure should be mixed in
with the lower stratum of soil. The seeds
should be sOwed at depth of about fivs
inches In the furrOw and covered with an
incn or two OF SOIL the quantity /. .s. In
Creased as the plants yerminate.