PLANTING AND CULTIVATION 



corresponding drawback : in the case of the peony, 

 the drawback can be obviated by a httle initiative 

 and some stout wire. The best method of sup- 

 porting individual plants is probably that de- 

 scribed by Prof. Jackson, in 1904., as follows: 

 " Three iron rods three feet long are made of 

 heavy wire one-quarter of an inch in diameter, an 

 eyelet is bent in the top, and the rods are gal- 

 vanised after they are cut and bent. A circular 

 connecting wire of lighter weight, one-eighth of 

 an inch in diameter and six feet six inches long, 

 is passed through the eyelets and made secure by 

 looping wire. Thus one can have the circular wire 

 of full size, or reduced to any smaller diameter 

 desired, and held in the reduced size by tying 

 one end. Such supports are very inconspicuous, 

 being practically invisible in a well-grown plant, 

 and have given satisfaction to several peony 

 growers who have tried them." 



In gardens where expense is considered, I* 

 have seen practical and cheap supports of home 

 production. A barrel hoop, either of wood or 

 metal, was neatly secured to three wooden stakes 

 and the whole painted grass green. 

 . Probably every peony lover has his own special 



165 



