I ntroduction 
FIFTH EDITION. SEASON OF 1915 AND 1916 
PETER PAN always remained “just a little boy” and “never 
grew up,” I am sure it was because he followed the glittering rain¬ 
bow of some all-absorbing hobby, and so became oblivious to the 
passing of time. 
It seems like yesterday, though many years have slipped away, 
since there was a boy’s garden out on the western prairie; then the 
city where there was no garden—only a memory of a garden that was, or a dream 
of a garden to be. Then came Wyomissing, and a man’s garden which was an 
unrestrained passion for growing things soon filled until it overflowed out into the 
open fields, a riot of glorious color, an intoxication of delight, like the promise of 
the rainbow fulfilled. 
Six years ago I sent out the first edition of My Book of Hardy Plant Specialties, 
and what began as a hobby has become a business that grows so rapidly that it 
requires the utmost effort to keep pace with it. Today the Peonies and Irises from 
Wyomissing have found their way into thousands of other gardens in every state 
in the Union and in many lands across the eastern and western oceans. New build¬ 
ings, propagating and storage house and office, had to be built; new help trained; 
and finally land purchased for a permanent home where there is room for the 
present and for future development. I have been most fortunate in acquiring 
seventy-five acres, beautifully situated within ten minutes’ walk from my present 
buildings and grounds. 
To those who follow the rainbow, the end seems always just a little farther on, 
and I am dreaming of a new garden that I want to tell you about; since so many 
of you have written to me about your gardens, I feel sure you will be interested 
in mine. In the first place, I think Wyomissing is very beautiful, surrounded on 
all sides by its setting of mountains. Through it flows the lovely stream which 
gives the town its name, and here along its banks, on both sides, I hope to plant 
a specimen garden, where some of each of the hundreds of varieties of Peonies, 
Irises, Phloxes, etc., and all of the shrubs and trees grown at Wyomissing may be 
concentrated and artistically arranged; where they may be allowed to grow and 
develop to perfection, for the benefit of those who come to visit us. 
The meadow is framed in by the woodland and divided by the Wyomissing 
Creek. A little brook hurries through the tall grass. There are springs clear 
as crystal, and a little pond, all furnishing ideal conditions for a water-garden. 
There will be a Lilac and Iris, a Peony and a Rose time, and so on throughout 
the season, if it all comes true, as I hope. And, when it does, I hope you can all 
come to see it. 
January , 1915 
BERTRAND H. FARR, Wyomissing, Pa. 
Copyright, iQif, by Bertrand H. Farr 
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