Peonies as Cut Flowers 
If Peonies are to be used as cut flowers they should be cut just as (he color begins to show, never by any 
means allow the flowers to open on the plant. After cutting, if tobe used at once place (lie stems in water 
and set in the shade away from the wind; should you desire to keep tiro flowers some time, then after cutting 
as above in the bud keep them away from all water, lay them down in a cool dry cellar and twenty-four hours 
before you wish to use them, give the stems a fresh cut and place the stems in water. Keep them in a cool 
room and you will find they will open up into ihe most glorious flowers. Never mind how wilted they are. 
You will exclaim they are no good, but follow directions and see results; you will have much finer flowers than 
the pickled flowers from storage that the florist supplies. Always water the ground in the beds of late flow¬ 
ering Peonies. Usually we have a dry spell during the middle or last of June. You will be well repaid for 
your trouble. 
Madame Emile Galle. 
Flowers for Exhibition 
The largest flowers for exhibition arc obtained in the following manner: The plant should be at least 
five years old, eight years old would be better. After the shoots appear in the spring select one, two or three 
of the stronger ones and nip all the others to the ground. This will cause the entire strength of the plant to 
center in the stems you allow to remain. Then as the buds appear pinch out all but the crown or terminal 
bud on each stem; this crown bud may always be distinguished by its coming on the end of the main stalk. 
The buds that come on the smaller side shoots or branches arc called lateral buds; these lateral buds arc the 
ones to pinch. This has the effect of throwing all the strength of this one stalk into this lone flower. 
The size of the flower as well as the color is helped by giving liquid manure once a week just as the buds 
begin to form. Get a barrel that holds water, fill with stable manure and pour on water t ill barrel is full; let 
it stand a few days and apply the liquid once a wee < to the ground immediately around your Peony roots. 
The Best Colored Flowers for exhibition are cut in the bud state just as they begin to show color and 
opened in a cool room by placing the stems in water. The reason for this: 'I’lie sunlight affects a Peony 
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