CHAPTER VII 



PLANTING AND CULTIVATION 



DR. EDWARD B. VOORHEES, the ex- 

 pert on crops and soils, was accustomed 

 to say that in the latitude of New Jersey the 

 proper time for seeding alfalfa is August 15th at 

 8 A.M. The psychological effect on the hearers 

 of such an unconventional statement was usually 

 startling — incredulity, scorn or amazement, as the 

 case might be, depending upon the wisdom of the 

 individual — but nearly every one reinembered the 

 date. 



I shall try the same method of firmly fixing 

 in the mind of the peony lover the proper time 

 to begin planting: it is September 15th, at 9 a.m. 

 (I do not believe in hurrying through breakfast!) 

 The planter of peonies is more fortunate than 

 the sower of alfalfa in that he has a longer period 

 of time in which to do his work: planting that will 

 give entirely satisfactory results can be carried on 

 for five or six weeks after the day for starting. This 

 date is not chosen from a whim — it is based on sub- 



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