NURSERY PRUPAGATIOX OF THE PEONY. 409 



feeders, and it will be of great benefit to them to apply a top- 

 dressing of well rotted manure each fall, which should be cultivated 

 or spaded in early in the spring. 



Some varieties will multiply very readily, forming four to six 

 good roots in two years, while others will scarcely double in 

 that time. It is not always the kinds that multiply the fastest 

 that are the most desirable. Some varieties, such as Victoria 

 Tricolor, will propagate very rapidly and will also produce a 

 bountiful crop of good blossoms. A peony cannot be judged by 

 the blossoms produced the first or second year after setting. 

 It takes many kinds three or four years before the plant is suffi- 

 ciently developed to produce the best flowers. Rubra Trium- 

 phans, for instance, blooms freely on young roots, but the 

 flowers the first and second year are only semi-double. As the 

 roots grow older, the flowers increase in fullness and beauty. 



There are fully two thousand named varieties on the market, 

 and it would be difficult for any one to name the best varieties, 

 but out of the ninety kinds we have tried the following ten have 

 given good satisfaction, and we do not hesitate in recommending 

 any of them : 



L'Esperance. — A variety that always gives good satisfaction. 

 Exceedingly fine, vivid rose colored flower; high, full center, 

 very compact, early free blooming, highly perfumed ; a good 

 keeper and one of the best for market. 



Faust. — A vigorous grower, light pink, large and full. 



Grandiflora Rubra. — Extra large, perfect balls of blood red, 

 magnificent flowers. A late bloomer, and when given rich soil 

 the flowers often measure eight to ten inches across. It is prob- 

 ably the largest peony grown. It should be in all collections. 



Humei. — A late blooming, superb pink variety. Young roots 

 do not bloom freely, but wdien the roots get five or six years old 

 the flowers are produced freely. One of the best keepers. 



Queen Victoria. — One of the best white varieties for market 

 on account of its vigorous growth, free blooming and good keep- 

 ing qualities. - 



Festiva Maxima. — The choicest of all white sorts. The 

 flowers are large and pure white, spotted here and there with 

 crimson. This /variety cannot be grown fast enough to supply 

 the increasing demand. We have grown flowers of this variety 

 measuring seven and one-half inches across. 



Rubens. — A new, extra fine, glowing crimson flower. A variety 

 that will always command attention on account of its striking 

 color. 



Rubra Triumphans. — Early bloomer, flowers like glowing 

 crimson satin ; intense, rich and brilliant ; very sweet scented. 



Purpurea Superba. — A vigorous, purplish crimson variety. 

 The flowers are full, well formed and produced freely. 



