AUGUST: THIRD WEEK 211 



top with a mixture of two-thirds soil and one-third leaf 

 mold, thoroughly well-rotted manure and sand. 



In early September take up the clumps of peonies and 

 divide them in such a way as to leave only four to six eyes, 

 which produce next year's shoots, on the top of each division. 

 Plant these divisions in the prepared places, deep enough so 

 that the crowns will be only three inches below the surface. 

 Deep planting sometimes causes shy blooming. Cover the 

 surface of the soil thickly with coarse, strawy manure, and 

 leave this covering on till early next spring. Water applied 

 in sufficient quantity to reach the bottom of roots once or 

 twice each week in late April or May increases the number 

 of blooms in a dry season and improves their quality. 



If it is desired to plant the peonies in a bed the whole bed 

 should be excavated and prepared in the same manner as 

 directed for making the holes, and the peonies should be set 

 three feet apart each way. Peonies need heavy fertilizing 

 each year with stable manure or bone meal, or both, and 

 they need plenty of water in the blooming season to give 

 the best results. Peonies thrive well in a partial shade, and 

 in such a location the blooms retain their color longer. 



