FOR THE HOME BEAUTIFUL 117 



ciation and love for this remarkable and beautiful 

 flower. 



And now a word about the planting and care of 

 the Peony. Plantings may be made to the best 

 advantage at any time between September first 

 and mid^-March, when the ground is in condition 

 to plant. Many plantings are made later, but Fall 

 and early Spring plantings are best. 



Usually divided roots of two to five eyes each 

 are sold for planting, and these should be planted 

 flat, with the eyes about three inches underground. 



They will grow in any sort of soil, rich or 

 poor, but there are three things that Peonies will 

 not stand for, and these are manure, acid soil and 

 "wet feet." 



Dig deeply so as to provide good drainage, use 

 no manure whatever when planting, and if your 

 soil should be acid or sour, correct this condition 

 by an application of air-slacked lime. 



Should you wish to produce the largest blooms 

 with long stems, remove all the smaller lateral or 

 side buds from each shoot, leaving only the main 

 or terminal bud to develop, thus throwing the 

 strength all to the one bloom. 



If you wish the very best and largest exhibi- 

 tion blooms, proceed as above, but leave only 

 three or four shoots to the plant, cutting all the 

 others down to the very ground, thus conserving 

 the strength of the plant for three or four flowers. 



