224 THE GOLD MINE 



yet another, Avliicli is the late rose Paeony, nearly, if 

 not quite, identical with Andre Laures. 



Francoise Ortegal — A striking French crimson. 

 One of the popular old sorts. 



Fulgida — Is another purplish crimson. 



Formosa Alba — White, with cream center. Very 

 fragi'ant, and one of our fine ones. 



Faust — Is rosy white, large and full double. An 

 exceedingly attractive flower. 



Festiva Maxima — Is the queen of all. Almost with- 

 out exception it is placed at the head of the list. It 

 has every point of excellence. The plant is one of the 

 most robust. You can usually tell the genuine by the 

 shape of the large leaves. This, we understand, was 

 introduced from Belgium in 1835, and all this time it 

 has been propagated, and, it is impossible to supply the 

 demand. The Joliet Paeony farm, one of the largest 

 in the world, wholesales them at $1.00 each, or $60 per 

 100. I am informed that the flowers bring $2.00 per 

 dozen, wholesale, in Chicago. The flower combines 

 great size with wondrous beauty. I have raised them 

 seven inches across, a glorious form of purest w^hite, 

 flecked here and there Avith crimson, which seems to 

 bring out the w^hite in clearer relief. This flower seems 

 to have reached the ultimate, beyond which we cannot 

 go. It is so full double it seldom, if ever, produces 

 seed. ^Rature. all along the line seems intent on repro- 

 duction, but in a case like this she seems to say, ^^I can 

 go no further." This is a good pattern to' work by. 

 Feed this grand flower. Let it do its best. And the 



