326 PLANT CULTURE 



there are one or two handsome variegated forms in cultivation, 

 but they are less hardy than the green leaved variety. 



Propagation. They are easily propagated by cuttings, rooted 

 indoors during the Fall months. 0. a. ilicifdlius seeds freely and the 

 seedlings come true; they do not germinate till the second year. 

 Privet stocks are used on which to graft the variegated forms. 



PvEONIA (Shrubby Paeonia). The shrubby Peonies are va- 

 rieties of P. Moutan. They are hardy in the North, but their flower 

 buds are quickly developed during mild weather, consequently they 

 are apt to suffer from late frosts. They force well early in the season, 

 but are only good for variety, as few flowers can be had on a moder- 

 ate sized plant. As border subjects they are desirable, making an 

 attractive display during April or the first half of May. 



Propagation. By seeds, division and grafting. The single 

 and semi-double forms will, in favorable seasons, ripen a consider- 

 able quantity of seed; they should not be allowed to remain in the 

 seed vessels after they are ripe, as they harden, and germination will 

 take longer than if sown when ripe. Sow in boxes and keep under 

 cover for the Winter. They should germinate in Spring. Seedlings 

 are not as free flowering as grafted plants. The operation of grafting 

 is best performed during the first half of September, in order that 

 the union may be perfect and new roots produced by the stocks to 

 give the Spring growth a vigorous start. For stocks any of the 

 numerous varieties of the Chinese species may be taken; those va- 

 rieties having the poorest flowers should, of course, be selected for 

 the purpose. The wood taken for cions should be from the less 

 robust part of the plant, that in which the large flower buds are 

 absent being preferred. The leaves should be shortened back, and 

 the cion attached to a good sized piece of the fleshy part of the root 

 of the herbaceous species by the easiest of the ordinary methods of 

 grafting. Tie on with a string which will not rot in the ground dur- 

 ing Winter, as support is needed in this way even after the cion 

 has taken with the stock. The position to be occupied by the 

 grafted stocks is the most important part of the operation. 



Where the Winters are severe, a deep frame, facing north, is the 

 best place for them. In this locahty they are heeled in on a shel- 

 tered part of the open border, but deep enough in the soil, so that 

 the lower part of the cion is covered. A layer of decayed leaves or 

 sphagnum is kept on the surface of the soil, and the tops shaded for 

 the first two weeks. In planting insert deep enough so as to give the 

 cions every opportunity to send out their own roots. About the 



