expect to secure great splendid specimens covered 

 with perfect flowers, since we have not allowed 

 them the time to develop the necessary strong 

 sustaining roots. 



^ If you want to obtain a mass of color the first 

 Summer plant your peonies about twenty inches 

 apart, then every third year, in the Fall, transfer 

 every alternate one to another bed. But matured 

 plants should be at least three feet apart. When 

 the plants look the least bit weak or undersized 

 give them an ounce of sulphate of iron ringed in 

 several inches away from the base. They will 

 respond to this treatment surprisingly and in 

 addition the iron will keep them in good health. 

 Every now and then give them a half-pint of lime, 

 and once a year each plant should have at least a 

 half -pint of bone meal. During their first Summer 

 we must guard against permitting them to want 

 for water, for unless they receive of it liberally they 

 will not thrive. After each watering mulch them in 

 the same way I advised for our roses. During June 

 and July give them a mulch of pulverized sheep 

 manure, then freely using the hose to send it down 

 to the roots. In the Autumn rake in around them, 

 using to each square yard twenty ounces of super- 

 phosphate and ten ounces of sulphate of potash, 

 following this with a mulch of rotted ^able ma- 

 nure. Frequently rose-bugs disfigure and destroy 

 the promising buds. If they are present, spray the 

 plants with the rose spray once or twice. It will not 

 disfigure foliage or opening buds and it will put to 

 rout the pests, not temporarily but definitely. 

 ^ When cutting your peonies always leave a fair 



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