THE FEAST OF FLOWERS 99 



six-acre peony gardens. Full of my idea, I pro- 

 posed to my friends that we select, one after an- 

 other, as we looked across the wonderful fields, the 

 flowers that stood out as superior for some definite 

 reason of form, color or bloom habit. Without 

 looking at labels, we were then to walk to the 

 selected plants, again discuss the "points," and if 

 we agreed, we would find the label and record the 

 name, also jotting down the reasons for our 

 preferences. 



We selected thus some fourteen sorts out of 

 fully three hundred, wrote our memoranda, and 

 then hunted up Mr. Farr. Whew! Several of the 

 sorts were so rare as not yet to be in commerce, 

 but the others could be had — at from one dollar 

 to six dollars per plant! We had not cared for 

 one of the old sorts, available at the lower 

 prices. So, convinced that there is something in 

 the fancier's selection, I'm rather waiting until 

 these that I want are within reach. Meanwhile, 

 some peonies are growing splendidly for me, and 

 I have had time to note that they are of a settled 

 disposition, preferring not to be often moved, and 

 rewarding one for much nearby manure-food. 

 Indeed, much food and water at right times will 

 probably give my "common" sorts strong char- 

 acter and great beauty. 



