T. C. THURLOW & CO. 
localities, and under different treatment, that they cannot always he identified by the 
description of the originator. The first year blooms, also, are apt to be inferior, and 
sometimes entirely unlike what they will be later. 
We always prefer good vigorous varieties — those that are free flowering and have 
long, stiff stems—also those that are sweet-scented and agreeable. 
We must again caution our friends against using any manure or strong fertilizers 
when planting Peonies. A moderate amount can be used to advantage if well worked 
into the soil at least one season before planting. We already see the evil effects of 
forcing Peonies unnaturally in a dwarfed and stunted root called 11 club-root ’ ’ or 
“nematodes” which has been sent out by some of the French growers. The only 
remedy we know for this is to set the plants in new, fresh soil and apply as a top 
dressing wood ashes or some form of potash. 
We would urge all customers to order their Peonies early, as they make their root 
growth in the autumn; and it is desirable to get the plants well-established before 
winter; although we have seldom known them to be injured by the frost. September 
is the best time for planting, but they can be moved as late as November or very early 
in April, before the new growth begins. If the planting is left till late autumn, a 
whole year’s growth, as well a's a season’s blooming, is lost. 
The best land for Peonies. They will do well anywhere except on a stiff, 
heavy clay. Such land can be prepared by draining and trenching so that the plants 
will do very well, but we prefer a good light, loamy soil. The land should be trenched 
and well mixed 15 or 18 inches deep (the deeper the better) and for a permanent bed 
or border the plants should be set about three feet apart. The space between the 
plants maybe set with other things, such as Japan lilies, narcissi, gladioli, etc., so 
as to have a succession of bloom. The land should be fertilized on top, late in the 
fall. There is no objection to planting Peonies where they will be partially shaded 
from the hot sun; in such a location the flowers last longer. 
We raise all our Peonies on high, dry ground which has been fertilized at least a 
year before with a good dressing of manure or, better still, peat muck which has lain 
a year exposed to the action of the frost, well mixed with muriate of potash and fine 
ground bone, allowing about a ton and a half of the two latter to the acre. After plant¬ 
ing this one year with potatoes, or better, plowing in several green crops, we have an 
ideal place for Peonies. 
We plough our land two furrows deep, set the plants very closely in rows twenty 
to twenty-four inches apart and seven or eight inches apart in the row r s. In this way 
we get good healthy roots but not as large flowers as we would if we forced them. 
Our best flowers this year were grown on a gravelly hill; fully exposed without any 
winter protection. We always protect our newly set plants of all kinds with a thin 
covering of cheap marsh hay. Any coarse covering will do as well, but for small beds 
we prefer light strawy manure, put on after the ground is frozen. 
French nurserymen recommend cutting off the tops of Peonies as soon as they 
have- matured in the fall. This may do for France but we would advise leaving all 
tops on until spring; this applies also to Phlox, Iris, and all other herbaceous plants. 
This is Nature’s covering, and every farmer knows that the grass in his field is 
better for some winter protection. 
When Peonies are received, if you are not ready to plant them, they can be left in 
the box or buried in the ground for weeks or months without injury. They can be 
kept all winter in a cellar with perfect safety, but the best way is to get them planted 
as soon as possible; so that new roots may form for the next season’s growth. The 
ends of all roots should be cut smooth and all decayed places cut clean. Having a 
deep trench or hole dug, place the roots in their natural position, downward, so that 
the top bud will be about three inches below the surface. Fill in the fine soil care¬ 
fully among the roots and wait for results. 
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