PLANTING AND CULTIVATION 



After this first loosening of the soil, it should be 

 worked and weeded regularly as the weeds ap- 

 pear. In spite of the point of view of the lazy- 

 man, weeds really perform a useful function in 

 the world. Without the wish to be rid of their 

 presence the soil would be apt to be neglected 

 and we would lose the dust mulch and the bene- 

 ficial bacterial activity brought about by stirring 

 and aeration. So, faithful weeding must be 

 added to the care of the beloved peony. 



Watering 

 While the peony will withstand dryness of 

 the soil to the point of drought without succumb- 

 ing, a reasonable amount of moisture is essen- 

 tial for the best development. As the ground be- 

 comes parched under the hot Spring sun an occa- 

 sional watering will help to increase the size and 

 improve the colour of the blooms. If the Spring 

 season is unusually dry the plants should be 

 drenched once a week in order to obtain the finest 

 flowers. For this purpose plain water is best on 

 newly prepared beds and liquid manure on older 

 beds. In watering it is well to keep the buds, 

 flowers and leaves dry and to moisten the roots 

 alone. 



11 161 



