PLANTING AND CULTURAL DIRECTIONS 
IMPORTANT—Open your package of roots immediately 
when they arrive. Plant as soon as possible but if you 
have to wait a few days, either keep moist in open box 
in cool cellar, or better yet, bury in garden. 
Plant Peonies in good, well drained soil, in full sun if 
possible, and away from trees, buildings, etc. Do not plant 
where a peony has been before, unless all old soil is taken 
out and replaced with fresh. Plant 3 to 4 feet apart; set 
so that the eyes point upward and are 2 to 3 inches below 
the top of ground (very important). Give each root 2 
quarts of water when planted, and then make a 6 inch 
mound of dirt above ground level to prevent heaving, 
scrape mound away late next spring. 
In northern states, a mulch the first winter is advisable. 
Fall is the natural planting time for Peonies. (After 
Sept. Ist and before Nov. ist if possible). Spring planting 
is possible but is not recommended. Never move an old 
clump without dividing it. Never dig out a piece of a 
elump with a spade. This invites decay in the part left. 
Peonies do not need to be divided and re-set so long as 
they bloom well, unless increase is desired. For increase, 
divide at 3, 4 or 5 years, in the fall. 
Peonies need their full space of 3 to 4 feet in all direc- 
tions. Do not crowd smaller perennials among them unless 
extra room is given. Only shallow cultivation is needed, 
to keep down weeds and grass. Use fertilizers sparingly, 
bone meal one year, hard wood ashes the next, two handfuls 
per large plant worked in topsoil six inches from the 
stems. The use of animal fertilizer is dangerous, as the 
bacteria of decay which makes it valuable, may also in 
time attack the Peony root and cause a damaging rot. The 
use of balanced commercial fertilizers is not recommended 
as a general practice, as they contain too much nitrogen. 
If soil is naturally very poor, sandy or gravelly, commer- 
cial fertilizer may be used sparingly, taking care to apply 
it when ground is wet, and watering enough to prevent 
burning. Keep it away from the stems. 
Watering during dry summers, and just before blooming 
is beneficial. Give a thorough soaking with two gallons 
or more of water once every week or ten days, not oftener. 
Daily watering or sprinkling is injurious. After October 
Ist, cut off all foliage close to the ground, and burn at once. 
This is the best preventive measure against blight, and 
usually the only one necessary. Should blight appear in 
spring, before blooming, pinch out and burn all diseased 
tissue at once, and spray with Bordeaux mixture three 
fourths the usual strength, wetting the ground also at 
base of plant. As a preventive, spray when plants 
are six inches tall, again at 15 inches. To obtain large 
blooms, remove all side buds when they are the size of small 
hazelnuts. To obtain a fine cluster, pinch out the large 
center bud. Blooms cut before half open and brought in- 
doors will show finer color and last longer than blooms 
left on the plant or cut when fully open. When cutting 
blooms, let two or three leaves remain on every stub of 
the stalks. Do not cut more than half or two-thirds of the 
blooms. A late spring freeze may cause buds to blast. 
Ants do no damage except to carry blight (if present) or 
if very numerous. Find their nests and poison or scald 
them out. 
A ten foot length of two inch diamond mesh chicken wire, 
two feet high, looped loosely about the plant just before 
blooming, makes an unequalled support, and is inexpensive. 
It can be removed immediately the bloom is done. Most 
Peony supports are too small, squeeze the foliage too close, 
and invite blight. 
Plant the healthy, fresh dug Auten roots, follow above 
directions carefully, and you should have many years of 
pleasure from your Peonies. 
—EDWARD AUTEN, JR., Princeville, Ill. 
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