THE BOOK OF THE PEONY 



ject. At one time I followed this method, but 

 now, out of an abundance of caution, I cut down 

 and burn the foliage of my peonies in the late fall. 

 After the first winter many successful gar- 

 deners do not cover peonies, and there are indeed 

 instances of these plants flourishing as far north 

 as Manitoba without being mulched. When it 

 is remembered that the original habitat of P. 

 albiflora is Siberia, the rule that they can be grown 

 without protection wherever apples thrive would 

 seem to be safe. In addition to latitude, the na- 

 ture of the soil should be taken into account in 

 this connection. In most instances I think one 

 should be guided by local conditions : in latitudes 

 where zero weather is. prevalent and in soil which 

 is heavy, a light cover can be used to advantage. 



Cultivating and Weeding 

 During the first warm days of spring the 

 mulch of straw or leaves should be promptly re- 

 moved, for the peony shoots break through the 

 ground early in the season. As soon as the soil 

 is sufficiently dry, the beds should be thoroughly 

 cultivated to a depth of two inches. Care must 

 be used not to touch the crowns of the plants. 



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