THE BOOK OF THE PEONY 



nure as above described instead of simply turn- 

 ing it in the classical manner lie in: (a) the pre- 

 vention of leaching — due to the absorption of 

 liquid by the top soil used; (b) the desirable tex- 

 ture of the compost — due to the admixture of 

 top soil; (c) the comparative shortness of time in 

 which the compost becomes available. 



2. In preparing a place — large or small — 

 for planting, mix the manure (or compost) and 

 the soil with great thoroughness. This point is 

 of the utmost importance. 



3. Do not put manure in layers in any part 

 of the trench or hole. Solid manure is danger- 

 ous if in direct contact with roots, as it is apt to 

 rot or burn them, or to produce fungi. Dessert, 

 the French peony grower and authority, warns 

 especially against this. 



4. Do not mix too great a portion of manure 

 with the soil. One of the most successful growers 

 in this country has found, in his many years of 

 experience, that it is possible to make the soil 

 too rich to obtain the best results with peonies. 



5. Do not mulch peonies with manure even 

 although it is well rotted: they may not rot, and 

 again they may. Mulching with manure is not 

 necessary and is a distinct risk. 



148 



