THE PLANT WORLD UNDER CARE. 



219 



charm of the rose is in its sweetness." 

 very well, here, too, the modern peony 

 challenges the "Queen of Flowers." 

 Was ever a rose sweeter than Mme. 

 Crousse or Madam de Verneville? Was 

 ever riower more refreshing than the 

 syringa-like fragrance of Philomele or 

 the spicyness of Mons. Krelage? Did 

 ever riower possesses the rich, languor- 

 ous oriental odor of La Tulipe or Marie 

 Jacquin? 



While there are other species of 

 peonies of more or less value, the chief 

 one, and in which such vast improve- 

 ment has been made, is the Chinensis 

 or Albiflora class. This was taken up 

 by the French hybridists during the 

 latter half of the past century, with the 

 results which we see and enjoy to-day. 



CULTURE OF THE PEONY. 



The peony delights in a rich, deep 

 soil of medium character ; i. e., that 

 which is neither clay nor sand. Fresh 

 manure should not be placed in con- 

 tact with root. The peony will live 

 and grow in any ordinary soil, and with 

 ordinary care or, for that matter, with 

 no care at all, but where specimen 



THE ACHILLE. 



blooms are wanted, special preparation 

 and care should be given. 



Planting should be made in fall after 

 the roots are well ripened, which in 

 this latitude, near New York City, oc- 

 curs during late September and early 

 October. From this time until the 

 first of May they may be planted when- 



IX 



A FIELD OF PEOXIES— A MASS OF DELIGHT. 



