76 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 



a year or more longer to reach perfection, but here the growth is 

 stronger, the colors more brilliant, and the flowers are larger and 

 of longer duration. Exactly the same difference is observed be- 

 tween plants grown in the south and middle states, and those 

 grown far north. The Peony is the flower for extremely cold 

 climates, but may be grown in California and in the south if given 

 congenial loamy soil and abundance of water during the growing 

 season and a situation shaded from the sun during the heat of the 

 day. 



Peonies are gross feeders, reaching their greatest perfection when 

 well fed and the ground frequently cultivated, until the buds begin 

 to show color. If a drought occurs at that stage they should be 

 well watered. Two things they promptly resent: sour, acid soil 

 and fresh manure in direct contact with the roots when first planted. 

 While they absorb an abundance of food when well established and 

 during their active growing period, to plant the young roots in 

 soil overloaded with fresh manure, especially if it is sour, is some- 

 times fatal and invariably causes them to become sick. This is 

 undoubtedly the cause of most of the so-called " club root." 



The effect is a production of many weak stems, which fail to 

 mature to buds. Peonies should be planted in fresh soil, and any 

 manure used should be thoroughly rotted, carefully worked in, 

 and not allowed to come in direct contact with the roots. Plant 

 so that the eyes are two to three inches below the surface of the 

 ground (too deep planting is injurious). Feeding should be in the 

 form of a good coat of manure over the surface after the ground 

 freezes. This prevents the roots from being thrown out from the 

 heaving caused by alternate freezing and thawing. This covering 

 can be worked into the ground a little distance away from the 

 crowns in early spring, and will furnish the food they need and can 

 then assimilate as active growth begins. 



When once planted, let them alone for as many years as they 

 seem to thrive, only dividing and replanting when the plants show 

 indications of deterioration; unless for the purpose of increasing 

 the stock which is another matter. For the purpose of propagating, 

 they should be divided every second or third year, but for garden 

 effect Peonies usually reach perfection the fourth year, continuing 

 in good condition several years longer, and in many instances old 



