When the Growths Become Too Dense 
After the fifth or sixth year, take sharp-pointed shears 
when the stalks are 8 to 10 inches high and remove the 
thin weak stems at the base. This will cut out about one- 
third of the current season’s growth and allow the thicker 
stalks to develop perfect blooms. 
Disbudding 
Most varieties set three or more buds to a stem. All 
but the central (largest) bud should be pinched off as soon 
as they can be gotten hold of if the finest individual 
blooms are wanted. 
When cutting flowers leave at least two or three leaf- 
stems on a stalk. It is best not to cut all the flowers 
because it is of vital importance that sufficient foliage be 
left on the plant all summer to develop the eyes under¬ 
ground for next season’s bloom. 
After the Blooming Season 
Seed-pods and remains of flowers should be cut off, but 
do not under any circumstances remove foliage until 
late frost. 
Diseases and Insects 
The Peony is practically immune from general diseases. 
See to it that you get healthy plants to begin with and 
you will have little to fear. Write us for advice about 
specific problems that may arise from time to time. 
Trueness 
Desirable as it is to get fine, strong roots, it is of even 
greater importance that stock be true to name, and it is 
in this phase of the business that we especially challenge 
comparisons. During the blooming season our personal 
time is devoted almost exclusively to the study of varieties 
and proving stock and during the past four years not even 
one “rogue” or mixture has appeared in our entire plant¬ 
ings. The pith of all of this is well, if briefly, expressed in 
this enthusiastic statement of a patron, “If you get it of 
Peterson, it’s true.” 
American Peony Society Ratings 
The figures in back of the introducer’s name of each 
variety represent the ratings placed upon the different 
varieties by a vote of the members of the American Peony 
Society. For instance, the figures 9.1 following Lady 
Alexandra Duff show its comparative standing in a vote 
where 10 represents perfection. These ratings are a fair 
measure of the merit and desirability of certain varieties 
so far as the individual flower is concerned. The freedom 
with which varieties bloom must also be considered. For 
general garden purposes, a variety that has a rating of 
say 7 to 7.5 may be more valuable than one rating 8 or 
better because the former may produce its flowers more 
perfectly and consistently every year. 
125 Norfolk Court, Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
June 28, 1934. 
1 would like to thank you for the Peony roots sent to 
me last fall. Therese had 11 gorgeous blooms on a vigor¬ 
ous, symmetrical bush. Festiva Maxima had 10 blooms, 
very beautiful and fragrant. None of my neighbors who 
planted Peonies last fall got a single flower. Your roots 
certainly are cheap at any price .—Louis Crummins. 
50 
