THE BOOK OF THE PEONY 



anthemiim. On the eighty-eighth day after Janu- 

 ary first the Japanese farmer starts his agricul- 

 tural operations for the year. Shortly after this 

 important event the tree peony comes into bloom 

 and flower shows for it are held over the entire 

 country. In some of these exhibitions as many 

 as five thousand plants of varying colours are 

 arranged in tier upon tier of brilliancy. 



The tree peony is classed with the iris, lotus 

 and wistaria as the most important flowers of 

 summer. The peony, the cherry and the lotus 

 are the three flowers to which is attributed royal 

 rank. The tree peony was often called the 

 Flower of Prosperity and occasionally the Plant 

 of Twenty Days, because of the long time dur- 

 ing which the flowers preserved their beauty and 

 freshness. 



The tree peony and chrysanthemum are not 

 used in the landscape garden proper. Their dis- 

 play is restricted to flower beds arranged in long 

 sheltered areas which are usually placed near the 

 apartments of the ladies. In the grounds of the 

 palaces peonies adorn the open spaces facing the 

 ladies' chambers from which the beauty of the 

 flowers can be readily viewed. 



196 



