22 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 
P. Witimanniana, a pale yellow peony, desirable for its 
parentage in a number of valuable hybrids. 
P. Emodti, the only species native of India, but closely 
allied to P. albiflora. 
P. Brownii, rather insignificant but worth mentioning, 
being the only species native of the Western Hemisphere 
(California). 
Of lesser importance may be mentioned P. decora, P. 
arietina, P. humilis, P. peregrina, and P. corallina. 
The tree peony, Paeonia Moutan, is a native of China, 
its discovery dating previous to the sixth century, when it 
was cultivated for medicinal uses only. Later it was intro- 
duced into gardens for ornamental purposes, oe a 
great favorite with the Japanese. The first shipment reached 
England in 1794 from where introduction into France was 
secured. A more recent addition to the tree peonies is P. 
lutea, with yellow flowers. 
The tree peony is somewhat more difficult to i ei 
than the herbaceous type. Several methods are em oyed : 
seeds, grafting upon herbaceous peonies, layering, division 
of the roots, and cuttage. 
The commonest method is by grafting upon the fleshy 
roots of the herbaceous types. The operation is performed 
in August or September, so that new roots will be developed 
before winter. A healthy piece of a root of P. albiflora is 
selected and slit about two inches from the crown down- 
ward. A scion with at least two buds is cut wedge-shaped, 
‘inserted into this slit, and bound tightly with raffia. The 
grafted plant is potted, leaving one eye of the scion above 
ground, and the pot is plunged into a cold-frame where it 
remains over winter and the following season. Cleft graft- 
ing upon the roots is sometimes practised with success, if 
plenty of wax is applied at the union. 
Layering is best performed in the spring just before 
owth commences. The operation consists of bending 
own branches, making a slit on the under surface to en- 
courage root formation, and pegging to the soil. It usually 
requires two years before the plant may be severed from 
its parent. 
Division of the roots and cuttings of the stems are methods 
rarely practised. The former has a tendency to injure the 
plant, while the latter is rarely successful unless unusual pre- 
cautions are employed. In order to have the cuttings root, 
they should be taken in August or September with a portion 
of the old wood attached, and planted in pots of sandy soil. 
A close atmosphere and shade are essential for success, 
