Cut-Flower Demand and Profits 
THE DEMAND, through the florists, for cut-flowers, increases amazingly 
each year, indicating that the general public is more and more becoming con¬ 
vinced that the Peony stands supreme as THE cut-flower of its season, and 
with millions of people in our country who do not yet know the beauty and 
satisfaction of the modern Peony, this demand will be sure to continue to in¬ 
crease for many years to come. 
EXCELLENT PROFITS are being made from large plantings of Peonies 
of varieties especially adapted to commercial cut-flower production. We have 
customers whose net profits per year have exceeded One Thousand Dollars 
per acre. About 2,700 to 5,000 plants are required to set an acre. Plant an 
acre to Peonies—it should prove to be the most profitable acre you own. 
We have devoted twenty-three years to learning the most profitable and 
satisfactory Peonies for commercial cut-flower planting, and in building up 
adequate stocks of these varieties to supply our customers. 
WE SELL LARGE ORDERS EACH YEAR TO SOME OF THE 
HEAVIEST BUYERS OF PEONIES AND WE FEEL THAT 
OUR PEONIES WILL ALSO PLEASE YOU. 
Suggestions for Planting 
WHEN TO PLANT: Peonies should be planted in the fall, and are equally 
successful when planted at any time from September first until the ground 
freezes too deep to allow planting. 
LOCATION: Select a good soil and a location for your Peonies that is 
well drained, and which will be in full sun at least part of the day. Avoid 
planting in low wet ground, close to buildings or large trees or among too much 
shrubbery. Do not plant Peonies in very sandy soil—they are not likely to 
succeed. 
PREPARATION OF SOIL: Soil should be well prepared by plowing or 
spading and cultivating to a depth of eight inches or more and allowed to settle 
for a few days prior to setting the roots. An application of raw ground bone 
(bone meal) thoroughly mixed with the soil at planting time, will supply 
suufficient plant food for a year or two. A top dressing of hardwood ashes, 
applied in early spring, would assist in quick root development. Do not use 
fresh manure about Peonies. 
SETTING THE PLANTS: Set the roots, after all labels have been re¬ 
moved, in the prepared soil, in their natural position, eyes or buds up, and at 
a depth so that the eyes will not be over two inches below the surface after 
the soil and the roots have settled. Work the loose soil carefully around the 
roots, packing it firmly to hold the roots in position. The common mistake is 
planting too deeply. Watch and see that the eyes are not more than two inches 
below the surface. The roots should be spaced three to four feet apart. 
On some types of soil, a light covering of straw or leaves for the first 
winter will prevent the newly set roots from heaving out because of alternate 
freezing and thawing. Carefully remove covering of straw or leaves from 
directly over the plants, in early spring, before Peonies come through the 
ground. When Peonies are up a few inches, cultivate thoroughly and often 
throughout the growing season. 
COMMERCIAL PLANTINGS. For permanent cut-flower planting, rows 
may be four feet apart, plants three feet apart in the row, or SV 2 x 3^ feet will 
be preferred by some, with new eyes two inches below the surface of the ground. 
Some growers plant as close as 3 x 3 feet, and others 4x4 feet. 
