342 



THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST. 



Fig. 2137. SoLKATERRE, Peony. 



The seeds should be gathered as soon as 

 ripe and kept damp until sown in November. 



A mulch during- the first season will keep 

 the ground moist and prevent weeds from 

 growing. 



Generally two years are required for the 

 seed to germinate, and three more before a 

 well developed bloom can be expected. 



Nearly all of the one thousand or more 

 named double varieties grown at present 

 have been obtained by crossing the various 

 forms of albiflora and officinalis. 



In 1855 only twenty-four double varieties 

 were known. 



Soil. — Peonies grow in all kinds of soil, 

 but do best in a deep, rich, rather moist loam. 



A clay sub-soil, if well drained, 

 is very beneficial when blooms are 

 desired, but the tubers ramify more 

 in lighter soil if grown for propa- 

 gating purposes. 



In preparing the bed it should be 

 thoroughly trenched two or more 

 feet deep, working in a great quanti- 

 ty of good rich cow manure, as they 

 are gross feeders. 



The ground should be kept well 

 cultivated and an annual top dres- 

 sing put above the plants in Novem- 

 ber, which should be forked into the 

 soil the next spring. 



Peonies should have a liberal 

 supply of water at all times, and 

 especially while in bloom. 



Liquid manure when applied dur- 

 ing the growing season and at a 

 time when the ground is dry, gives 

 good return, both in the growth 

 of the plant and size of the bloom. 



Planting. — The crowns should be 

 set two inches below the surface. 



In transplanting it is a good plan 

 to remove all the old earth so as 

 to start with fresh unimpoverished 

 soil next to the roots. 



The flowers produced on small 

 divided plants are apt to be imperfect, but 

 when thoroughly established a plant will 

 continue to bloom, if undisturbed, for up- 

 wards of twenty years. 



During the period of blooming an incon- 

 spicuous wire support is desirable, as a 

 heavy rain often beats down the flowers. 



Forcing. — Lift the plants in October and 

 place in a cold frame where they can be 

 easily gotten at when the time for forcing 

 arrives. 



When brought under glass, a uniform 

 temperature of 55 to 60 degrees should be 

 maintained. 



By feeding well with liquid manure, strong 

 blooms can be produced in eight weeks. 



