A NEW CLASSIFICATION OF THE GENUS P^ONIA. 



443 



not abnormally short, leaf segments and carpels nearly the same. 

 Corolla white. I am assured that this must be distinct as a species 

 from P. mollis, but I have not seen them growing together. 



Conclusion. 



Among other gentlemen I have greatly to thank Mr. Barr for 

 his liberality in sending me specimens and generally in placing 

 his knowledge at my disposal. I have greatly to thank Mr. 

 Moore, of Glasnevin, for his liberality in sending me specimens, 

 and it is only fair to say that the Glasnevin collection is remark- 

 ably rich and well named. The specimens that were exhibited 

 came from the Cambridge Botanic Garden in part only. I have 

 to thank Prof. Foster and the authorities of the Botanic Gardens 

 at Glasnevin, Kew, and Oxford for certain specimens that I 

 could not provide to the same degree of development, or that I 

 could not provide at all. 



Discussion. 



The Eev. W. Wilks : Mr. Paul particularly wishes me to 

 say a few w r ords on the cultivation of Pasonies, as he knows my 

 infatuation for these too little known plants, and the large collec- 

 tion of garden varieties which I have. Now Pasony-growing is 

 not a case of " small capital and quick returns," it is rather the 

 reverse. It is in its way and degree like planting fruit-trees : a 

 comparatively large sum must be spent at planting, and then 

 the planter must be content to wait three, four, or even five 

 years before he reaps the full reward of his patience, labour, and 

 expense — but then what a reward it is ! Kings and queens, nay, 

 very emperors, of the herbaceous border are these Paeonies, 

 so rich and varied in their colours, from the purest white of 

 driven snow, through ivory and yellow, pink and salmon and 

 crimson, to the deepest blood-crimson, and a few which have r,uch 

 an intensity of colour as to look almost claret-brown. And then 

 the scent of most of them, like a mixture of frankincense and 

 roses ! Yes, the reward is well worth all the outlay, all the 

 patience, all the toil. 



To grow Paaonies successfully you must first well trench the 

 ground and dig in a quantity of the richest possible manure — - 

 how much I cannot say, for I have not yet discovered the limit 



d 2 



