78 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 



I will simply state my own experiences and conclusions, which I 

 feel sure will tend to allay any needless apprehension on the part 

 of the amateur gardener. 



In certain seasons under favorable conditions Peonies are subject 

 to fungous attacks manifested first by black spots on the leaves, 

 second, by a blighting of the buds when half opened, or the decay- 

 ing of the half-opened buds at the base of the petals, deforming 

 the flower; third, the extension of the fungous growth down the 

 stem, sometimes its entire length, causing what is commonly called 

 "stem rot," which in severe cases extends down into the roots. 

 Sometimes the stem is first affected, causing it to "damp off" and 

 wilt. The conditions favorable to the spread of fungus seem to 

 be moist, humid weather, with frequent showers, followed by hot 

 sunshine. It may be quite severe one season and disappear en- 

 tirely the following season, and unless the roots themselves are 

 affected, there seems to be no permanent injury, and it is only in 

 a few sections where serious harm has been done, and where I 

 believe the same soil condition and overfeeding, which I have 

 previously explained, have something to do with it. Spraying 

 with Bordeaux mixture as a preventative has been recommended. 

 Where roots are badly affected it is best to replant them in perfectly 

 fresh, sweet soil, free from manure, cutting away all affected parts. 



The other trouble is variously known as "Nematodes or Eel 

 worms," "Club roots," "Lemoine Disease," etc. There has been 

 much discussion and difference of opinion regarding these so-called 

 diseased roots. I believe it to be more a condition than a disease; 

 a condition brought on usually, as previously stated, by the exces- 

 sive use of manure when the roots are newly planted and before 

 they can properly assimilate the overdose. It is manifested by 

 distorted, undeveloped roots, covered with lumpy knots and 

 nodules. An unusual number of eyes are formed, sending up many 

 stems of weak growth, which do not mature flower buds. This 

 condition can also be produced by too deep planting, the use of 

 large divisions of old worn-out roots, or by planting in a sour, 

 pasty soil, or anything which seems to check a healthy action of the 

 roots. 



My remedy is to cut the infected roots into very small divisions 

 of one or two eyes, shorten the roots to two or tlu'ee inches, and 



