PLANTING pp:rbnnials. 157 



up. The reason for deep planting is that the roots are very much 

 injured by freezing and thawing. The delicate Cornufolia is from Si- 

 beria, where the ground is covered with snow, which is the best mulch- 

 ing ever yet devised; but, while hardy there in those native conditions, 

 it is not hardy on a bleak prairie, as usually planted. The Hemeroculis 

 family is more hardy than the other. There are many varieties, some 

 early, some late. Many of them are remarkably beautiful. 



The best time to plant is in the fall or early spring. The Candidum 

 should be planted while in its dormant condition, and that is the first 

 of September. This lily is not entirely satisfactory. It does not multiply 

 like the others and seems to lack vitality. The Auratum from Japan 

 is also short livedo while the Rubrum is quite satisfactory. 



Many kinds have miniature lilies which look some like blackberries 

 attached to the stems. If you wish to multiply them cut these stems 

 and plant them just as they are. Put them about two inches deep. The 

 little bulbs seem to feed on the parent stem, and you have fine plants 

 of unusual vigor the next year. 



PEONIES. 



In these flowers we reach the triumph of floriculture. Having on 

 several occasions visited both state and national exhibitions I am con- 

 vinced that the peony for beauty, hardiness, fragrance and easiness of 

 propagation is absolutely peerless. These are propagated from seeds, 

 by root divisions, by grafting, and by buds. Gather the seeds and plant 

 them where you wish them to stand. Don't wait for them to dry; pick 

 and plant just as they are turning brown. You may think it will do to 

 keep them in moist sand, but when you go to plant them out late in 

 the fall, you will find some of them badly sprouted. Planted before ripe, 

 many of them will come up next spring. If you let them wait till 

 thoroughly dry, it will take two or three years for them to germinate. 

 One fall we planted fifty pounds of ripe seed and the next spring not 

 one of them came up, while we had a fair stand of those planted before 

 they were fully ripe — just as they begin to turn brown is the best time. 



PLANTING DIVIDED KOOTS. 



September is the best time for them. The plant (though the tops may 

 be green) is in a dormant condition. The bud formed for the next year 

 is short and tough and not liable to break. Planted at this time little 

 rootlets immediately grow, and late in November you will find them per- 

 haps six inches long. Roots should be planted so the bud will be two to 

 three inches under ground. The best way is to make a hole with the spade 

 to fit the root, then insert it and press the earth firmly around it. Peonies 

 can be planted till the ground freezes, but you will lose some root growth, 

 and you will find the bud is growing more and more and consequently 

 it is more liable to be broken. You will have the same trouble if you 

 wait till spring. The bud will become very brittle and you must handle 



