HARDY BULBS 61 



a sunny position in light soil, and if planted in autumn 

 cover slightly the first winter. 



P^EONIAS 



The herbaceous Paeonias, which are such brilliant 

 ornaments of our gardens in May and June, would 

 require more space to do them justice than we can com- 

 mand. They like a rich, well-manured soil, inclining 

 to heaviness and thoroughly trenched before planting in 

 early autumn. After the plants are in position mulch 

 the ground with rotten manure, and when growth is 

 being made in summer give liberal applications of manure 

 water to induce free growth. The crowns should be a 

 little below the surface, and plant if possible where the 

 sun does not reach them until a little before noon. The 

 list of superior varieties is extremely extensive, and those 

 thinking of purchasing Paeonias should either select the 

 plants while they are in bloom, or from the catalogues 

 of dealers who grow these flowers largely. The single 

 forms are very beautiful also, though they hardly keep 

 so long in bloom. Many of the species are also attrac- 

 tive plants, and where there is sufficient space a selection 

 of these should be made and grown. The common 

 Peony of old gardens is P. officinalis. 



RANUNCULUSES 



At one time a favourite florist's flower, the Ranunculus 

 has fallen greatly out of favour, and there are now 

 few named sorts grown. It is, however, well worth 

 growing for its beauty as a garden flower and also for 

 cutting. A bowl of pure white Ranunculi with the 

 foliage of Heuchera Richardsoni, or some other dark- 

 leaved plant, is a charming thing, and many equal 

 beautiful effects can easily be produced. The florist's 

 Ranunculus was derived from R.asiaticus, and there are 



