E take very §reat pleasure in 
presenting to the Peony world the 
introductions of Mrs. Sarah A. Pleas, 
formerly of Indiana, now of Cali- 
fornia. 
Mrs. Pleas has the distinction of 
being the first woman in the world 
to introduce new varieties of Peonies, 
and good ones, too. She has been 
working for a number of years prac~ 
tically unnoticed and unheralded. 
In February, 1916, the writer sug- 
gested her name to the Secretary of 
the American Peony Society for hon- 
orary membership, which at the next 
meeting of the Society held in New 
York City, June, 1916, was con- 
ferred on her “in recognition of her 
services to Peony culture in America,” 
an honor well merited although late 
in arriving. 
Mrs. Pleas has been Giving her 
attention for upwards of forty years to 
Peony culture. There have been a 
number of her Peonies going under 
synonyms. The list we name is in- 
tended to be authentic and is compiled 
from information supplied by Mrs. 
Pleas and from her friends who have been interested in her Peonies. We here present a list of her 
Peonies most talked about, although by no means a complete list. In future editions of “Peonies for 
MRS. SARAH A. PLEAS 
The Pioneer Woman Peony Originator of the World. 
Pleasure” it is expected to add to this list: Alpha and Omega, Altar Candles, Bouguet of Flowers, 
Dr. Edgar Pleas, Elwood Pleas, Golden Nugget, Golden Wedding, Gypsy Queen, Joseph Griffin, 
Jubilee, Lady Emily, Lady Iris, Little Nell, Madame Pleas, Mary Anderson, May Davidson, Midsum-~- 
mer Night's Dream, Mrs. M. B. Beckett, Multiflora, Opal, Orange Prince, Pearled Rose, Queen of the 
Pleasance, Ralph, Rosy Dawn, Sarah, TB: Terry, The Gem, The Jewel, White Swan. 
THE QUEST OF LOVE 
By Sarah A. Pleas 
So in a sweet bewilderment 
I turn to leave my peony beds; 
I have not found the flower I meant 
To give the name [ love, but spent 
The morning hours where beauty 
spreads. 
Here’s one as pure, as white as snow 
Fresh fallen on this world of ours 
No hint of hue its petals show; 
Shall I my name of names bestow 
On this to make it King of flowers? 
O! garden mine, what pleasure waits 
Among your rows of gorgeous bloom 
For one who finds within your gates 
The title deeds to vast estates 
Of wealth, in beauty and perfume. 
Today I come with new intent Here’s one so bright it glows like flame, 
To find the fairest flower of all 
In form and color, size and scent, 
Ah, he will know how much is meant 
When by his name the flower I call. 
How beautiful the flower must be 
To make it worthy of his name, 
That other eyes than mine can see 
What his dear memory is to me 
Whose love I count as more than fame. 
Here’s one that’s white with heart of 
gold 
A censer cup, fer incense rare 
And here is one of perfect mold 
Whose silken petals seem to hold 
The secret of all beauty there. 
What glorious color it has caught 
From days and nights of June that 
came 
To make it worthy the dear name 
Which I have ever in my thought! 
Ah, look at this! So large, so sweet, 
A fluffy ball of pink and gold 
In form and color all complete 
Would we might stay the summer’s 
feet 
To keep such beauty in our hold! 
O, which to choose! so fair are they— 
So rich in color, form, perfume! 
But which the fairest, who shail say? 
I needs must come another day 
To find my garden’s richest bloom. 
Read what a heart full of praise says of the Peony: 
THE LURE OF THE PEONY 
A Eulogy by Ces? Harrison, of Nebraska, Written June, 1909. 
Such charms before me that I fear 
I cannot-choose among them all 
Since each and all, I hold so dear 
And yet—The one flower must be 
ere, 
That love by his dear name would call. 
O, here, I see! Close to me nods 
A flower the color—soft blush rose, 
So large, so sweet! Ah, by all odds, 
This is a flower to please the Gods— 
The best that in my garden grows! 
My auest ends here, no farther I 
Need seek among my peonies 
To find the fairest flower, I cry 
“O, royal bloom!”’ and he seems nigh 
“T christen thee the Elwood Pleas.”’ 
lt you should receive the announcement that you were to have a visit from thousands upon thousands of the best 
dressed and most beautiful visitors that ever came to earth you would naturally feel like taking a vacation and enjoying 
such delightful companionship. Iama busy man, but there is no resisting, the lure of all this bewitching loveliness. 
They have come, the advance guard, the Sreat masses of dazzling splendor; the rear guard, strong, full orbed and 
stately, will shortly bring up the last of the procession. 
Page Six 
Miss Ella V. Baines, Springfield, Ohio. 
