W E take verij great pleasure in 
presenting to tke Feomj world tke 
introductions of Mrs. Sarak A. Pleas, 
formerly of Indiana, now of Cali¬ 
fornia. 
Mrs. Pleas kas tke distinction of 
being tke first woman in tke world 
to introduce new varieties of Peonies, 
and good ones, too. Ske kas keen 
working for a number of years prac¬ 
tically unnoticed and unkeralded. 
In February, 1916, tke writer sug¬ 
gested ker name to tke Secretary of 
tke American Peony Society for kon- 
orary membership, wkick at tke next 
meeting of tke Society lield in New 
York City, June, 1916, was con¬ 
ferred on ker “in recognition of ker 
services to Peony culture in America,” 
an konor well merited although late 
in arriving. 
Mrs. Pleas kas been giving ker 
attention for upwards of forty years to 
Peony culture. Tkere liave been a 
number of ker Peonies going under 
synonyms. Tke list we name is in¬ 
tended to be authentic and is compiled 
from information supplied by Mrs. 
Pleas and from ker friends wko kave been interested in ker Peonies. We kere present a list of ker 
Peonies most talked about, although by no means a complete list. In future editions of “Peonies for 
Pleasure” it is expected to add to this list: Alpha and Omega, Altar Candles, Bouyuet of Flowers, 
Dr. Edgar Pleas, El wood Pleas, Golden Nugget, Golden Wedding, Gypsy Queen, Joseph Griffin, 
Jubilee, Lady Emily, Lady Iris, Little Nell, Madame Pleas, Mary Anderson, May Davidson, Midsum¬ 
mer Night s Dream, Mrs. M. B. Beckett, Multiflora, Opal, Orange Prince, Pearled Rose, Queen of tke 
Pleasance, Ralph, Rosy Dawn, Sarah, T. B. Terry, Tke Gem, Tke Jewel, White Swan. 
MRS. SARAH A. PLEAS 
The Pioneer Woman Peony Originator of the World. 
THE QUEST OF LOVE 
By Sarah A. Pleas 
O! garden mine, what pleasure waits 
Among your rows of gorgeous bloom 
For one who finds within your gates 
The title deeds to vast estates 
Of wealth, in beauty and perfume. 
Today 1 come with new intent 
To find the fairest flower of all 
In form and color, size and scent. 
Ah, he will know how much is meant 
When by his name the flower I call. 
How beautiful the flower must be 
To make it worthy of his name. 
That other eyes than mine can see 
What his dear memory is to me 
Whoselove I count as more than fame. 
Here’s one that’s white with heart of 
gold 
A censer cup, for incense rare 
And here is one of perfect mold 
Whose silken petals seem to hold 
The secret of all beauty there. 
Here’s one as pure, as white as snow 
Fresh fallen on this world of ours 
No hint of hue its petals show; 
Shall I my name of names bestow 
On this to make it King of flowers? 
Here’s one so bright it glows like flame, 
What glorious color it has caught 
From days and nights of June that 
came 
To make it worthy the dear name 
Which I have ever in my thought! 
Ah, look at this! So large, so sweet, 
A fluffy ball of pink and gold 
In form and color all complete 
Would we might stay the summer’s 
feet 
To keep such beauty in our hold! 
O, which to choose! so fair are they — 
So rich in color, form, perfume! 
But which the fairest, who shall say? 
I needs must come another day 
To find my garden’s richest bloom. 
So in a sweet bewilderment 
I turn to leave my peony beds; 
I have not found the flower I meant 
To give the name l love, but spent 
The morning hours where beauty 
spreads. 
Such charms before me that I fear 
I cannot choose among them all 
Since each and all, I hold so dear 
And yet — The one flower must be 
here, 
That love by his dear name would call. 
O, here, I see ! Close to me nods 
A flower the color—-soft blush rose. 
So large, so sweet! Ah, by all odds, 
This is a flower to please the Gods 
The best that in my garden grows! 
My quest ends here, no farther I 
Need seek among my peonies 
To find the fairest flower, I cry 
“O, royal bloom !” and he seems nigh 
“I christen thee the FJwood Pleas ” 
Read wkat a keart full of praise says of tke Peony: 
THE LURE OF THE PEONY 
A Eulogy by C. S. Harrison, of Nebraska, Written June, 1909. 
If you should receive the announcement that you were to have a visit from thousands upon thousands of the best 
dressed and most beautiful visitors that ever came to earth you would naturally feel like taking a vacation and enjoying 
such delightful companionship. I am a busy man, but there is no resisting the lure of all this bewitching loveliness. 
They have come, the advance guard, the great masses of dazzling splendor; the rear guard, strong, full orbed and 
stately, will shortly bring up the last of the procession. 
Page Six 
The Good & Reese Company, Springfield, Ohio 
