PURCHASING 



One should always note under what conditions 

 of soil and location the peonies are planted, and 

 in drawing conclusions one should be fair to both 

 grower and owner. 



In the Autumn, in the digging and shipping 

 season, visits to nurseries are also instructive. 

 One then finds out in a general way what each 

 grower gives in return for the prices asked in 

 his catalogue. The size and quality of roots sent 

 out by growers vary greatly: the blooms from 

 the roots will show a corresponding difference. 

 Some growers list and advertise one-, two- and 

 three-year roots. Others quote a single price and 

 say nothing about the age or size of the roots. In 

 the latter case one buys in ignorance and on faith : 

 in addition, one's mind is so occupied with pictures 

 of the glorious flower described that little thought 

 is given the roots except as to the number required. 



Prices 

 In buying peonies, low prices alone should not 

 influence the purchaser. A root of some standard 

 variety such as Festiva maxima may be bought 

 from some growers as low as thirty-five cents, 

 whereas the same variety, listed as being the same 



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