34 
The Floiver ^Beautiful 
SINGLE AND JAPANESE PEONIES, continued 
THE MOOR. Barr. 7.8. Very deep crimson 
—the darkest red we know of. The flower, 
of moderate size, is produced freely; has 
unusual lasting qualities. Midseason. $2.00. 
TOKIO. 8.9. The rose-pink flowers are borne 
on very strong, stiff stems, while the guard- 
petals are a lovely shade of pink. The 
center is a showy mass of golden stami- 
nodes. Midseason. $4.00. (1-year only.) 
VICTORIA. A striking red variety of merit. 
The growth is very vigorous and upright, 
yielding a large, showy, red flower of inter¬ 
mediate shade between the light cherry- 
red of Defiance and the deep crimson of 
The Moor. The contrast of this shade 
of red with its wealth of Japanese-like 
golden stamens is very marked. Midsea¬ 
son. $1.50. 
COLLECTION OF 10 SINGLES AND JAPANESE PEONIES 
l-year 2-year 
Attraction. Deep Tyrian-rose.$2.00 $3.00 
Defiance. Rich cherry-red.1.00 1.50 
Fuyajo. A deep old-rose . 3.00 4.50 
Lucienne. Flesh-pink. 2.00 3.00 
Mikado. Dark crimson. 2.00 3.00 
Petite Renee. Fresh carmine-pink.1.00 1.50 
Princess Mathilde. China-pink. 3.00 4.50 
Rosy Dawn. Blush-white. 3.50 5.25 
The Moor. Deep velvety maroon . 2.00 3.00 
Victoria. Brilliant crimson . 1.50 2.25 
$21.00 $31.50 
The set (10 roots) for $15.00 $22.50 
Valuable Peony Information 
The Peony is of such simple culture and so easy to grow that but little instruction will be 
necessary in order that the beginner may produce the finest blooms, provided you begin with 
solid, healthy roots with known blooming qualities. 
Preparing the Ground 
Spade deeply, and allow to settle, any good 
piece of garden soil that has successfully grown 
other flowers or a good crop of vegetables. Where 
such a soil is not available, a layer of old cow- 
manure may be placed in the bottom of a hole 
12 to 18 inches deep. Cover with clean, fresh 
soil so no manure comes in direct contact with 
the roots. About a pint of raw coarse bonemeal 
may be mixed with the soil in which Peonies are 
set. 
Please do not worry about a lot of elaborate 
soil-preparation. Peonies resent heavy fertilizing 
before they are established one or two years. 
Never plant the Peony in soil in which Peonies 
have grown before. Disregard of this will result 
in complete failure. 
Depth and Distance to Plant 
Set so the eyes on the crown of the root are 
only 2 inches beneath the final level surface of 
the soil. Tamp freshly spaded soil before plant¬ 
ing so roots will not settle. Deep planting means 
lack of bloom. 
Set roots 3 to 3 Yi feet apart, according to room 
at one’s disposal; 3 feet apart is good distance 
for a border or hedge. 
Watering 
It is always best to water or soak newly planted 
Peony roots. An established Peony plant will 
apparently stand a lot of drought, although it is 
most important to water during dry spells in 
July and August when next year’s flowering eyes 
are being formed underground. Also soak the 
beds when the buds are forming in spring. 
Later Fertilizing 
Established plants need an application of a 
quart of unleached hardwood ashes and raw, 
coarse bonemeal, half and half, in summer after 
the flowering season. The same may be applied 
in early spring. Other commercial fertilizers may 
be used, but follow directions carefully. Never 
place manure directly over the crowns, but feed 
in a circle as wide as the foliage. Hoe and culti¬ 
vate freely. 
Wintering 
Never apply a mulch of any kind after the 
first year. Peonies are “cold weather” plants 
and like to be frozen in hard for a long dormant 
period. Better blooms are produced after cold 
and severe winters. 
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. For home decoration 
and for exhibition, very long stems are not 
necessary. 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 underground for next season’s bloom. 
