THE PIvANT WORIvD 157 



Peonies. — Undoubtedly the correct way to spell this word is paeony, 

 but the use of peony has in a way been legitimitized by the formation 

 of the American Peony Society, and apparently this spelling has come 

 to stay. Be this as it may, the subject, perhaps too long neglected, has 

 come to the front undoubtedly within the past few years. The peonies 

 of the old-fashioned gardens, which we all remember, have now been 

 so modified and improved that one would hardly recognize them. In 

 place of the scarlet, pink, and white varieties of the old gardens we have 

 almost every shade imaginable; and, too, the shape has changed until 

 they look more like roses than the " pineys " we remember. We reprint 

 below a short article on growing these plants by amateurs, and from time 

 to time will give lists of desirable forms, methods of culture, etc. 



The Peony as Seen by an Amateur. — In the acquisition and culture of 

 the newer varieties of peonies the amateur has a great pleasure in store. 

 Few of those who find the solace of their leisure hours in floriculture 

 have any conception of the improvement which has been made in the 

 Peony. They are all accustomed to the sturdy plants, which, resisting ex- 

 posure, neglect and ill usage, stood in the old-fashioned garden, flaunting 

 each spring their blossoms of white, red, and pink. Grand old plants 

 these were, and worthy progenitors of the exquisite creations of the 

 modern hybridist, which are now first offered to flower-lovers ; but the 

 Peony-lover of a generation ago would hardly recognize his favorite 

 flower in the gorgeous blooms he will see at the coming exhibition of 

 the American Peony Society. The most vivid crimsons, the most satiny 

 pinks, the most creamy whites, will feast his eye in every gradation of 

 shade, and every variation of form and shape that Nature, with her 

 wealth of ingenuity, can devise. But to meet the wants of the amateur, 

 beauty of form and color is not enough. These are often secured by 

 care, skill, and appliances which are entirely beyond the reach of the 

 ordinary person. The amateur needs a plant whose culture is simple 

 and whose needs he can supply, and the Peony in these respects is the 

 typical flower for him. In his garden and with his own hands he can 

 produce as fine blossoms as the expert who originated and produced the 

 variety. Given a good ordinary soil, well fertilized with a shovelful of 

 old manure, and a few months' healthy exercise, and the amateur, in his 

 limited space and with his limited means and appliances, can set and 

 start a plant which will each year increase in size and beauty, and with 

 each successive spring will cause him to bless the day when he planted 

 it. So optimistic am I as to the future of the Peony that I believe it will 

 be for the next decade the most planted and most popular hardy flower. 



Go to the coming exhibition, Mr. Amateur, See the flowers; buy 

 the roots and plant them, and see for yourself if my encomiums are not 

 warranted. — Frank B. Lown, in American Gardening. 



