170 THE GOLD MINE 



tage in such large roots. A two-jear-old plant, sound 

 and vigorous, is mucli to be preferred. 



A neighbor wished me to do something for his Pae- 

 onies. They had been twenty-five years in grass and 

 weeds. They were crowding and exhausting each other. 

 They would bud, but had no vigor to expand the bloom. 

 I took up great clumps, and found them much decayed. 

 I cut them up, planting the buds and what little root 

 I could secure with them, and in two years had as strong 

 and vigorous stock as I ever saw. My land consists 

 mostly of city lots, so I must plant closely in rows, 

 about eighteen inches apart, and eight inches in the 

 row. Of course they could not stay long. I have the 

 advantage of irrigation if necessary. I have often 

 planted buds alone, with no root whatever. One fall 

 1 put in thirty, and the next year had twenty-seven 

 fine plants. 



DIVIDING THE EOOTS. 



This is difficult, and requires patience and judgment. 

 Some have a distinct cleavage, and are easily separated. 

 Others, like Marie Lemoine, have no cleavage, but are 

 gnarled and twisted. Some, like Princess Ellen, have 

 roots like a ball. Many are very tender, and as you 

 begin to divide, they will snap like pipe stems. This 

 is bad, for there are the roots, and you need them to go 

 with the buds. If you lose them it will take a year or 

 two to replace them. Let them lie in the shade a few 

 hours and wilt. This toughens them and does not hurt 

 them a particle. You can immediately restore them 



