96 BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS 



and it rests entirely with himself as to whether he gets it or not. 

 He should make stations for his clumps of Paeonies wide enough 

 to admit three or four plants standing two feet apart. These stations 

 should be dug two feet deep, and a thick coating of manure worked 

 in a foot below the surface. Extra food can be given in the form 

 of soakings of liquid manure in the summer, and annual mulches 

 of manure on the surface. This is better tljan regular lifting and 

 replanting, for which Paeonies do not care. They like to push 

 long fleshy roots deep down into moist substrata, and keep 

 them there. 



The plants can be propagated by division, but for the reason 

 just given this should not be done frequently. If more plants are 

 wanted, it is better to buy fresh ones than to risk injury to an 

 imperfectly established clump by taking it up and dividing it. 

 Propagation can be effected by seeds, but this method cannot be 

 relied upon for the increase of particular varieties which it is 

 important to keep true. Trade growers often propagate Paeonies 

 by grafting them on to stocks of common kinds, but this work 

 is hardly within the scope of amateur flower gardeners. Such 

 division or fresh planting as may be required should be done any 

 time between October and March inclusive. 



It would be very pleasant if we could add to all that has been 

 here said with respect to the claims of Paeonies on the attention 

 of flower lovers that they are cheap plants, but that can hardly 

 be done, at all events as far as concerns modern sorts. These 

 are not cheap. In connection with this, as with all other popular 

 flowers, novelties are expensive. But one can buy very good 

 Paeonies without depleting one's purse severely. The following 

 varieties are good, and not costly : 



BEAUTIFUL SINGLE HERBACEOUS PAEONIES. 



Amiable, cherry. 



Bridesmaid, white. 



Duchess of Portland, pink and white. 



Rosy Dawn, blush. 

 Empire, purple. 

 Hecate, purplish rose. 



