By Henry T. Williams. 
Yol. IY. 
NEW YORK, MAY, 1875. 
No. 41. 
Price 12 Cents. 
PEONIES. 
It would seem as if so liardy a plant as the Chinese 
Peony might he cultivated by any one who had ever 
possessed flowers, without requiring any further infor¬ 
mation. Yet behold me, an earnest inquirer! I have 
all my old-fashioned Red Peonies placed singly on 
the lawn and elsewhere in the grass, 
where they increase yearly, with no 
care except a mulching of dressing in 
the fall. When I bought some of the 
new hinds, Pink, Fringed, &c., I 
placed them likewise in the grass, 
hoping they would do equally well. 
I am not sure but that they are do¬ 
ing as well as they could do anywhere, 
but the growth is not so strong as in 
the red kind, and I am afraid they 
are not in the most desirable place. 
I wish to know if it would be better 
to have them removed to the flower 
border; or whether, with care in en¬ 
riching, and a little scratching about 
each spring, they will eventually form 
strong stools as they stand in the 
grass ? 
Ans .—The Peonies will grow as 
well as the old-fashioned variety. 
When established, if the soil is rich 
enough, the light-colored varieties 
do not usually grow so strong as the 
red ones, although they will flower 
from each shoot when strong enough. 
in the stalk destroyed the root also. And I begin 
to fear it is some fault in the care of them, and 
iffi 
X 
young bulbs decaying after flowering. Are they 
planted deep enough? They should be six inches 
deep; and if the soil is wet, cover the bulbs with 
some sand or light soil. There should be no fresh 
manure used in planting Lily bulbs. 
Lilium. Candidum.—I purchased one of these also, 
last spring. It was planted six inches 
deep. As it had made no show in 
July, I searched it out, and found it 
thrifty and well started; at least the 
bud or crown was swollen. I cover¬ 
ed it again and waited. I am waiting 
still. How long before patience will 
cease to be a virtue? Is the bulb 
planted too deep ? 
Ans .—In some soils the Lilium 
Candidum becomes diseased, which 
may be the case in this instance. 
Plant as recommended for Auratum, 
and we know no reason for failure. 
2 
4S 
Day Lily.—Please inform me also 
if the common Day Lily, or Funkia, 
will do well in the grass, and if 
it requires deep planting wherever 
placed? 
Ans .—The bud of Funkia should be 
level with the surface; it is best in a 
border, but would succeed planted in 
the grass. 
Lilium Auratum. —Last spring I 
purchased two bulbs of this Lily, and 
was much disappointed that early in 
August they did not appear above 
ground. On looking for them, I found 
one wholly decayed and dried—a little 
of both. The other had gone, and in 
its place were three little bulbs, the 
size of corns. I replanted them about- 
four inches apart, in a triangle, and. 
three inches below the surface. I 
have not disturbed them since, and 
now one little leaf, an inch long, is all 
that has come up. I have tried this 
Lily once before. Of four bulbs, two bloomed the 
first year, one the second, and all disappeared the 
third summer. I thought then a worm which was 
ill 
ill 
I 
H 
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Laurestinus.—I would like to ask, 
mm 
through your columns, some of the 
I H 
III 
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Bouquet op Spring Flowers and Grasses. 
would like more information before purchasing again. 
Ans .—Fresh imported bulbs of Lilium Auratum are 
liable to decay, but there must be another reason for the 
wise ones what treatment I should 
give the Laurestinus to make it 
bloom? It grows well, but there it 
stops. Also, why Hyacinths bloom 
so close to the earth, instead of grow¬ 
ing up tall? Half of the buds do not 
get a chance to bloom; have followed 
the most approved method of plant¬ 
ing. Subscriber. 
Madison, Wis. 
Ansiver .—Plant out the Laurestinus 
in the open ground for the summer; 
you probably grow it too much in 
Your Hyacinth bulbs are either poor, 
the shade. 
or you plant too late; the bulbs should be planted in 
October. 
PJ 
cS 
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