115 



of Europe, hybridization at once began. Considerable intentional 

 crossing was done by the early growers, and thus the blood became 

 mixed almost from the beginning of cultivation. The writer does 

 not know of any race of hybrids between P. moiitan and herbaceous 

 species, but such crosses have been made, even as early as 1852 

 (Gardeners' Chronicle, 1852, p. 499). 



As a result of many years of crossing, we find that many varie- 

 ties are intermediate between the species, and it is therefore mani- 

 festly impossible to refer with certainty all varieties to the species 

 from which they have been derived. It is probable that practically 

 all the species of the genus have now been discovered, but some 

 of the species last introduced have not yet been used for hybridiza- 

 tion purposes. PcBonia lutea, a lately-introduced yellow form, will 

 probably be of value in increasing our yellow varieties. 



As the species of the genus become more and more blended by 

 crossing, it begins to resemble the genus Rosa in confusion of 

 species. The question therefore arises, what are we to do for a 

 classification when the varieties can no longer be referred to the 

 species from which they have been derived? All we can do then 

 is to construct an artificial classification, such as is used for the 

 chrysanthemum and the apple and other plants. The classification 

 used for the chrysanthemum will not answer for the peony on 

 account of the difference in the structure of the flowers. The writer 

 has made some inquiry to learn if any such classification has been 

 in use by peony men. Mr. C. W. Ward has used in his descriptions 

 the terms " bomb," " crown," and " rose," which I have adopted 

 together with the descriptions of what is meant by these terms. 



I wish to propose the following artificial classification for the 

 varieties of F. albiHora, and for all other varieties which are with 

 difficulty referred to their respective species. First and most im- 

 portant is form, next comes color, and lastly season of blooming. 

 Fragrance is not considered as a character for classification because 

 not possessed by all classes as follows : 



Single. — This class is supposed to embrace all single peonies 

 which have occasionally been called by the term anemone. They 

 consist of a ring of a few broad petals, with the center filled with 

 a mass of pollen-bearing stamens and seed-bearing carpels. As an 

 example of this, see "Water Lily," Fig. i (frontispiece). 



Japanese. — With this class the process of doubling has just 

 begun. The filaments of the stamens are widened and the anthers 

 themselves have become monstrous. The primary or guard petals 



