THE BOOK OF THE PEONY 



if a plan had been made. It will be found, how- 

 ever, that a full schedule of all plantings is in- 

 valuable for reference if not for blooming. The 

 duplication of an order of some especially allur- 

 ing kind, if one does not know its name, is usually 

 difficult. Then, too, peonies have a pleasing way 

 of increasing in monetary worth; often some 

 rare variety is practically unobtainable except 

 from an amateur's collection. Unless they have 

 a name and are true to it, they lose all value ex- 

 cept for decoration and sentiment. Whether the 

 number of peonies planted be large or small it 

 is well worth while to take the trouble of making 

 a written record. 



Mulching 

 If the soil has been prepared for planting as 

 suggested, it is not necessary to do anything fur- 

 ther until winter comes. The first winter after 

 planting, as the roots in all probability have not 

 yet become firmly imbedded in the soil, and may 

 heave easily when the frost comes out of the 

 ground, a mulch or covering should be put over 

 them. But beware of mulching with manure. 

 Although this is advised by some persons it has 



158 



