HOW TO PREPARE THE SOIL 



buds for the following year. Large, strong 

 clumps, or the smaller roots planted in groups 

 are not so apt to meet with this misfortune. As 

 the foliage of the peony is admirable in itself, 

 plenty of space for the plant can be left without 

 injuring the appearance of the border. 



How TO Prepare the Soil 

 The peony probably asks less of its owner in 

 the way of care than any other perennial except 

 the iris. One often reads in catalogues the state- 

 ment in reference to the peony that " once planted 

 all is done," and if the word " properly " is in- 

 serted between " once " and " planted " this may 

 be said to be almost literally true. Even the most 

 neglected peony, if healthy, will manage to make 

 its own living, and bloom in some manner under 

 adverse circumstances. But in peonies, as in 

 other things, there is a price to pay for perfec- 

 tion. Part of the price is careful attention to 

 the details of planting. 



A deeply spaded place should always be pre- 

 pared for peonies. In borders, holes two and 

 one-half feet in depth and three feet in diameter 

 can be made, and filled with rich top soil care- 

 fully mixed with well-rotted manure. A good 



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