BETTER PEONIES—BY GUMM 
1 
W. L. Gumm Admiring the La France Peony 
Why Plant Peonies? 
PEONIES in beauty, are at least equal to any flower. 
-in culture, are the least troublesome and 
the most dependable. 
-as cut flowers, are fragrant, colorful, at¬ 
tract attention, and last for weeks. 
-for mass display in the garden create in¬ 
terest throughout the community. 
-exceed all other flowers in stability of price, 
-increase in growth, and return for the mon¬ 
ey invested. 
-as a gift are fitting and lasting. 
-as a hobby, provide recreation and promote 
happiness and health. 
-once the Emperor’s flower, are now avail¬ 
able to the humblest. 
A garden without PEONIES is comparable to a 
home without pets and children. 
PREPARATION OF SOIL FOR PLANTING 
Peonies need a rich, heavy soil. When the soil 
must be “made” the best plan is to dig down fully two 
feet, deposit a layer of rotted manure and compost a 
foot thick and then fill in with the finest quality of 
