be futile; suffice it to say, that of all the flower treasures Japan 

 has given us for our American gardens I think the Japanese peony 

 is supreme. All varieties of peonies should be planted in the Fall, 

 in rich, rather heavy, well-drained soil. Order heavy roots and 

 be certain when planting that the eyes are covered with not more 

 than two or three inches of soil. Personally I give peonies no 

 Winter protection, neither newly planted nor established ones. 

 Deeply dug beds or holes, well drained, rich soil and good healthy 

 peony stock with very plump eyes will produce splendid results 

 next Summer and will increase in splendor year after year. 



Let me suggest to lovers of these wonderful flowers who have 

 not read "The Book of the Peony," by Mrs. Edward Harding, 

 that they read this book — a book of inestimable value to peony 

 lovers. 



JAPANESE TREE PEONIES 



Whilst I know these Japanese Tree Peonies demand a full 

 measure of our care and our watchfulness, still they give us so 

 great a return. I know many amateur gardeners who grow them 

 successfully and well. First of all, they are absolutely hardy and 

 are of the most exquisite colors. Their foliage is silky and gleam- 

 ing and their blooms immensely large. Their good qualities I 

 have mentioned. Their faults — they have some of course, for these 

 Japanese Tree Peonies are grafted on a hideous but vigorous pur- 

 ple variety ; suckers are more or less to be guarded against, but 

 deep planting will help a great deal, but will not always insure 

 against the plants suckering. You can detect the suckers instantly, 

 and by cutting them away, right at the graft from which they 

 spring, you will have no difficulty in growing tree peonies to your 

 unbounded delight. They are so gorgeous! Provide the most 

 sheltered, warmest position for them, for they bloom so early in 

 the Spring that now and then the buds are frost blighted. 



+6 



