Eighteen] &ty )tU)S EtlS 201 



rows, and are several inches below the surface, are 

 traversed several times a day. 



Peonies what would the spring garden be with- 

 out these old-time favourites ? Whatever flowers are 

 lacking in country gardens, it is rarely these ; and yet, 

 we seldom see them at their best. They like rich, 

 well-drained soil in a sunny location, and once estab- 

 lished should remain undisturbed for years, or until 

 they become so crowded as to need dividing, as they 

 require several years to recover .after being moved, 

 and only actual necessity should lead to their dis- 

 turbance, certainly not the requests of friends and 

 neighbours to dig them up and divide. Better buy a 

 root to give away, if reluctant to refuse, than injure 

 the plant. 



Mulch the Peony bed heavily with rough manure 

 in the fall, removing the coarsest in the spring and 

 working the rest into the soil. A good mulch of lawn 

 clippings during July and August will keep the soil 

 cool and moist, and greatly benefit the plants. This 

 should be given before they bloom, as there is usually 

 heavy rain about that time, which beats the flowers 

 down into the dirt and ruins them. 



The Funkia (Plantain Lily), or Day Lily, as it is 

 commonly called, is another plant impatient of dis- 

 turbance ; and once planted it should not be molested. 

 It likes a good, rich, mellow soil, but is not particular 

 as to location, so that no other plant is near it. 

 Though perfectly hardy I prefer to give it a little 



