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volumes and conies in portfolios. In describing the color of the 

 peonies, the popular approximate term is given in the brief descrip- 

 tion, while the number of the page and the particular shade is 

 cited in the detailed description. 



Foliage. — Many varieties of peonies are practically identical 

 when only the cut flowers are compared. In the nursery 

 row, however, a very small difference in the habit of growth or 

 peculiar set of the foliage will be quite apparent. It is a question 

 yet to be decided, just how much importance should be attached 

 to these slight differences in growth when we come to combine 

 varieties into groups. If the differentiating character is of any 

 value whatever, the varieties should be retained as distinct; if it 

 is of no value, it is a question whether they should not be grouped 

 together, the group taking the oldest of the two names, and the 

 other being listed as a synonym. 



The varieties which are described in this bulletin are not selected 

 as the best by any means. They are put forward at this time 

 simply because they produced fairly typical blooms this year, and 

 we are reasonably sure they are correct. Very many of the very 

 best varieties are not published this year for the reason that the 

 material is not yet ready for publication. It is intended to publish 

 other reports from time to time as the work progresses, and each 

 report will give descriptions of all those varieties which may have 

 been satisfactorily worked over by the date of its publication. 



