The Auten Originations 
During the nineteen years in which I have been develop¬ 
ing new varieties of Peonies, I have had several definite 
aims in view. First, to get red Japs, red singles and red 
doubles and semi-doubles that were brilliant and clear in 
color, and that held that color until the blooms were gone. 
In this I feel that I have been very successful with the 
Japs, singles and semi-doubles. Fading has been reduced 
to an almost negligible minimum, and many different 
shades of brilliant red have been obtained. At the same 
time, by growing most of the new Japs and singles of other 
originators in my own fields for comparison, and seeing 
what was exhibited at 11 of the last 13 National Peony 
Shows, I have been able to measure my own progress. As 
a result, I, have come to feel that the Auten red Japs and 
red singles now lead all other lists in high quality. Nippon 
Beauty has been given the highest rating (93.8) of any red 
Peony of any type. Nippon Brilliant and Sword Dance 
show just as high quality in lighter shade. Goblin, Nippon 
Chief, Nippon Splendor, Nippon Warrior and the new 
Nippon Parade were all outstanding this year. In contrast, 
Institeuter Doriat, which came from France heralded as 
the best red Jap, was dull and decidedly inferior. And 
Verdun, the red single from France, also claimed to stand 
at the top, could not compare with any one of a half dozen 
in the Auten list. Arcturus, Black Magic, Kankakee, Kas- 
kaskia, Kewanee, Kickapoo and Witches’ Dance were ex¬ 
ceptional this year. Kewanee opened three days before 
Vera, yet was good after Vera was faded and ugly. 
In red semi-doubles are some striking kinds. Dearborn 
and Daniel Boone held their color. Daniel Boone does not 
give a large number of stalks per plant, but the bloom is 
an aristocrat both in color and carriage. Uncle Remus, 
Tempest and Louis Joliet are good year after year. Seeking 
for red doubles, with no stamens, has been unusually dis¬ 
appointing. I have wanted especially to get a red double 
that would meet the demands of the cut flower trade, not 
only holding its color, but also opening out well from cold 
storage, lasting well and with long stem. I have some very 
fine ones still under trial, but have not yet offered a perfect 
red double variety. The three red doubles in this list all 
contain some purple, no more than, maybe not as much as 
the regular cut flower reds now in commerce. Mandarin, 
I believe, will prove exceedingly popular, Salem was good 
this year, and Morocco pleases many who really like the 
purple shades. 
My white singles were chosen to meet the following 
standard—good substance, no pink seed pods, which to me 
are a very discordant feature, good upstanding plants, and 
a full range of season of bloom. Snow Sprite, White Per¬ 
fection, Country Dance, Monticello, Morning Song, June 
Moon, Wedding Day, the whole list in fact, will prove a 
revelation to those used to the old Albiflora the Bride and 
similar ragged sprawly and unfinished kinds. 
NOVELTIES. Here we have “Peonies that are differ¬ 
ent”, colors and forms you would not dream could exist in 
a Peony. Some of them from their very nature fade at the 
end, but the^ are much admired and add great interest to 
any collection. Gay Paree is being most enthusiastically 
received. Nippon Princess, Monterey and Tarantelle con¬ 
tinue to make friends. Red Emperor and San Diego are 
striking and bold. Alaska is liked unusually well by many, 
by some not at all. The four novelty red Singles are well 
proven. 
I often wonder when the day will come that I can have 
all my new things in bloom on old clumps the same year, 
so as to see a sum total of these years of work. But 
increase is so slow one must always keep dividing as fast 
