After blooming season is over, remove the faded flowers and seed pods. The tops 
must be left on to prepare for next season’s requirements, the foliage being the 
lungs of the plant. Late in the fall, when it has ceased to function and the tops 
collapse, cut them down close to the root, remove and burn. 
Colors may be intensified and preserved by cutting the blooms when the outside 
petals loosen up, allowing them to open slowly in a cool shady place with stems in 
deep cool water. 
In cutting, leave enough stem with foliage on the plant to mature the eyes or 
sprouts for next season. The cut buds shoul'd have all the lower fohage removed 
to prevent evaporation and wilting, leaving only enough foliage to appear well above 
the container. 
After eight or ten years the plants may show signs of deterioration, shorter 
stems with fewer and smaller flowers. 
They require to be reconditioned. Take them up in September or October, wash 
all the soil off and divide the clumps into small divisions with two to five eyes with 
a reasonable root support. Remove any sign of root rot, shorten the old roots to 
four or five inches then re-plant shallow in fresh soil in which Peonies have never 
before been grown for no Peony will flourish on the leavings of another. 
PEONY FAILURES 
Did you know that there are thousands of “BUNK” Peonies in circulation? 
Well Smith has grown them for years, cannot get them to bloom. They are passed 
on to Jones, who, after six or e'ght years of failure gives or sells them to Brown, 
cheap, with same result. If divided at all they are attacked with a spade instead of 
with a sharp knife, their bruised and mutilated remains are then buried deeply at 
the wrong season and then he wonders why his Peonies do not bloom. 
Some people, in spite of FAIR WARNING, buy the cheapest roots they can And 
from any old “cheap John” or bargain sale, plant them any old way at any season 
and spend their remaining days wondering why their Peonies do not bloom. 
Moral: Get your roots from a Peony specialist. 
Lower prices will be offered on larger lots. Please submit your list for special 
quotation. 
RANUNCULUS 
The bulbs of this charming and brilliant summer flower should be planted in 
February, March or April, about two inches deep, in well-prepared, fertile soil, full 
sunlight or partial shade. After the blooming season take up the bulbs, dry them 
well and store in a dry, cool place until next season. 
My French-Persian hybrid strain, result of careful seed selection, is unsur¬ 
passed for brilliancy of colors and double flowers—very few singles. 
Plant them where you want them—they do not transplant well. In dry, sandy 
soils they should be mulched to conserve moisture. 
If allowed to dry out for a hot day or two, you may expect failure. 
Dry bulbs 40c per dozen; $3.00 per 100. All colors mixed. 
