PEONY. 



255 



cuttings about six inches long of any desired variety. 

 Then slit the tubers from the crown downwards about 

 two inches ; form the scion like a wedge, insert it into 

 the slit of the tuber, and fit the barks on one side as 

 accurately as possible, then bind them well together, as 

 in any ordinary root grafting. It is well to bind with 

 copper wire, as the bast may rot before a union takes 

 place. Put them in a shaded cold frame ; plant them 

 out when they have perfected one season's growth, or 

 treat them like established plants. The shrubby Peonies 

 are considered perfectly hardy, and are, so far that frost 

 will not injure the plants, but they will flower more 

 freely in a well sheltered situation. 



Paeonia M out an (Tree Peony). — This species is a 

 native of China and Japan, whence it was introduced in 

 1789. In its native habitat it is said to grow from eight 

 to ten feet high, bearing an abundance of purple flowers. 

 With us it rarely grows four feet high, but in a partially 

 protected situation it forms a rather dense under-shrub, 

 and flowers profusely. Since the species were first intro- 

 duced numerous varieties have been brought out, with 

 white, pink, purple, rose, magenta and salmon-colored 

 flowers, mostly single or semi-double. See engraving. 



The Herbaceous Peonies are increased by divis- 

 ion. When this is desirable it should be done in Octo- 

 ber. The tubers may be divided to any extent, only it 

 is necessary to have, at least, one eye on each tuber. 

 Immediately after cutting up, plant in nursery rows, or 

 where they are to remain. If divided in autumn they 

 will usually flower the following season, but if divided 

 in the spring they rarely flower until another year. The 

 most desirable species are : 



Pseonia albiflora. — This is the old and well- 

 known double white Peony, a native of Siberia : of this 

 there are several varieties, all of which are very showy 

 and useful. They are mostly about two feet high, and 



