A GARDEN NOTE-BOOK 



list. We had dug and prepared the circular spots 

 for the peonies the spring before, so that no heat- 

 ing from natural fertilizer could injure the roots, 

 and in the following manner we dug the circles for 

 each plant. An iron band has been bent in a 

 circle two feet in diameter. The band is thin 

 and has one end sharpened. It is not closed and 

 can be spread to include a wider space if wanted. 

 When laid on the grass, its sharp edge down, we 

 place it where we want our plant to stand, and 

 hammer it into the ground. A perfect circle of 

 turf is then lifted, the soil prepared, and, instead 

 of manure to protect the newly planted peony 

 tubers through winter, the segments of sod from 

 the top of the circular space are replaced, forming 

 an excellent protection. 



I have now wandered into a detailed planting; 

 the bearing of all this upon the general effect of 

 lawn and orchard is still to be seen. It may be 

 a perpetration of ugliness which I shall i-egret, but 

 with little-flowering cherries first, and large-flower- 

 ing peonies later, with great philadelphuses bloom- 

 ing near the peonies the moment those handsome 

 flowers are full, we may expect a picture not all 

 incongruous. At all events, there mil be less of 

 that little villain the chickweed. 



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