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October 30, 1902, this committee met in New York City and organ- 

 ized a Peony Association as a branch of the Society of American 

 Florists. The first chairman was Edwin Lonsdale of Chestnut Hill, 

 Pennsylvania, and the first secretary, George C Watson of Phila- 

 delphia. 



At the meeting in New York City in 1904 the American Peony 

 Society agreed to enter into co-operation with the Plorticultural 

 Department of the Experiment Station at Cornell University for 

 the purpose of making a study of all the varieties of peonies which 

 it was possible to secure at that time. This study was to extend 

 over a sufficient period of years to enable the investigators to cover 

 the subjects enumerated below. 



Purposes of the Tests at Cornell University 

 Nomenclature. — To bring order out of the confusion which now 

 exists in the naming of varieties. This part of the study aims to 

 establish correct names by applying rules of nomenclature, and will 

 furnish growers with accurate descriptions of all authentic varieties. 

 Botany. — To ascertain the botanical status of all varieties. In 

 other words, to refer each to the species from which it appears to 

 have been derived. 



Culture. — Careful study of varieties to be made in order to 

 determine the commercial values of the different kinds. Such points 

 as vigor, health, floriferous qualities, and colors to be noted. It 

 is also expected that fertilizer experiments designed to influence 

 the size and shipping qualities of the flowers shall be included. 



Conditions Governing the Test. 



Land. — The land, the labor of planting, and all subsequent care 

 are to be provided by the Experiment Station. All notes are to 

 be taken by the Station according to a scheme arranged by the com- 

 mittee on nomenclature appointed by the American Peony Society. 



Plants. — The plants are to be furnished, free of cost, by the 

 American Peony Society, members thereof, or interested growers 

 of peonies. Three plants of each variety shall constitute a test, 

 but the donors may send one or two if more are not available. 



Final disposition of the plants.— At the close of the test, in 

 perhaps four or five years, Cornell University Experiment Station 

 shall be entitled to a complete set of two plants each of all distinct 

 varieties. Each contributor of plants to this test shall be entitled 

 to as many plants of distinct varieties as he originally contributed, 

 provided they are available after the Experiment Station set isi 



