PEONY. 255 
cuttings about six inches long of any desired variety. 
Then slit the tubers from the crown downwards about 
two inches; form the scion like a wedge, insert it into 
the slit of the tuber, and fit the barks on one side as 
accurately as possible, then bind them well together, as 
in any ordinary root grafting. It is well to bind with 
copper wire, as the bast may rot before a union takes 
place. Put them in a shaded cold frame; plant them 
out when they have perfected one season’s growth, or 
treat them like established plants. ‘The shrubby Peonies 
are considered perfectly hardy, and are, so far that frost 
will not injure the plants, but they will flower more 
freely in a well sheltered situation. 
Pzonia Moutan (Tree Peony).—This species is a 
native of China and Japan, whence it was introduced in 
1789. In its native habitat it is said to grow from eight 
to ten feet high, bearing an abundance of purple flowers. 
With us it rarely grows four feet high, but in a partially 
protected situation it forms a rather dense under-shrub, 
and flowers profusely. Since the species were first intro- 
duced numerous varieties have been brought out, with 
white, pink, purple, rose, magenta and salmon-colored 
flowers, mostly single or semi-double. See engraving. 
The Herbaceous Peonies are increased by divis- 
ion. When this is desirable it should be done in Octo- 
ber. The tubers may be divided to any extent, only it 
is necessary to have, at least, one eye on each tuber. 
Immediately after cutting up, plant in nursery rows, or 
where they are to remain. If divided in autumn they 
will usually flower the following season, but if divided 
in the spring they rarely flower until another year. The 
most desirable species are : 
Pzonia albiflora.—This is the old and well- 
known double white Peony, a native of Siberia; of this 
there are several varieties, all of which are very showy 
and useful. They are mostty avout two feet high, and 
