9S THE CANADIAN HORTICULTI/RIST. 



affords tlie buds that lie concealed in the soil beneath all the protection 

 required. 



Another very important quality possessed by the Peonia is its 

 entire immunity from the attacks of insects. For five and twenty 

 years at least have a number of varieties of this flower been growing 

 on the grounds of the writer, and yet in all that time have they never 

 been marred by insects of any kind. How different is the case with 

 our roses. Those beautiful flowers can be had in their perfection only 

 by constant care and vigilance. • Armed with hellebore and garden 

 syringe we must needs wage- annual war with the Eose Slug and the 

 Ebse Thrip, or these insidious pests will ruin our roses. But we have 

 no need of this watchfulness and toil to secure a full display of Peonias. 

 Year after year, without fear of slug, or thrip, or' caterpillar, these have 

 bloomed on without stint, and made the garden gay with their various 

 tints. 



Besides, the plants seem to be exempt from diseases of every kind. 

 1^0 mildew ever ruins foliage or flower ; no blight, with suddea des- 

 truction blasts our expectations, but year after year the plants grow 

 with unabated vigor, increasii^ in size and beauty. 



Another feature is the great variety of colors presented in the 

 flowers, from pure white through every gradatian of pink, rose, rosy- 

 lilac to dark purplish crimson. And the flowers are so large and 

 "brilliant, and withal so pleasantly rose-scented, that while their showy 

 brightness attracts attention, their perfection of form and sweetness 

 of fragrance admit of the closest inspection. 



For the guidance of any who may wish to enrich th«ir grounds 

 with these attractive flowers, which may be purchased of all nursery- 

 men at very moderate cost, we give a list of the names of a few sorts 

 which we have found to be the most desirable, presenting a wide 

 range of coloring and a succession of bloom that will continue for 

 fully a month. 



Amabilis Grandijiora. This is one of the eariy bloomers, the 

 petals of the outer row which are larger than the others, are of a rich 

 deep pink very beautifully shaded, and all the interior petals of a 

 delicate straw color. The flower is very full and perfectly double, of 

 large size and exceedingly attractive. 



Delicatissima. This variety opens very shortly after the fore- 

 going ; is large, very double, and of a fine, delicate rose color throughout. 



