ON PEONIES 269 



is said and done, there is less difference between them 

 than there is between half a guinea and a shilling to a 

 person of moderate means. 



The principal reason why I describe double instead 

 of single varieties is that they last longer. As the Paeony 

 is naturally an early blooming plant we want to get as 

 much out of it as possible before it passes for the season. 

 Seedling Snapdragons or Pentstemons may be planted 

 near it in May to give beauty when it is over ; or a group 

 of Gladioli may be planted close by, to give beauty 

 when the Paeonies have faded. Without some such 

 provision there may be a dull patch in the border late 

 in summer ; with it, the display of colour is maintained 

 until the autumn frosts arrive. Single Paeonies are 

 somewhat fleeting ; still, they are beautiful flowers, and 

 amateurs who fancy them in preference to the doubles 

 will find no difficulty in obtaining varieties at corre- 

 sponding prices. 



