THE TREE PEONY 



the leaves fall, in the Spring before the buds start 

 forth, or just before the flowers open. 



It would be of interest to know what methods 

 the Chinese gardeners use in cultivating the 

 famous tree peonies in the gardens of the Man- 

 darins, where the plants frequently attain great 

 size and produce as many as three or four hun- 

 dred flowers every year. There is little material 

 available on the subject of Chinese gardens and 

 gardening, and the Chinese themselves seem in- 

 disposed to enlighten us. There are no exporting 

 nurseries in China and the difficulties of obtain- 

 ing either peonies or facts as to culture are almost 

 insurmountable. 



Forcing 

 Tree peonies lend themselves most willingly 

 to the process of forcing, provided it is gentle and 

 applied to good, strong plants. They should be 

 taken first into a house that is slightly heated, 

 say 40°-50° F. In about two weeks, or as soon 

 as the buds begin to swell, the peonies may be 

 removed to a temperature of about 55° F., where 

 they will flower in five or six weeks. Frequent 

 watering is necessary and if the atmosphere is dry 



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