In the white class will be found blush, light yellow and whites that show con- 
siderable blush and pink when first opening, but later change to white. 
In the pinks will be found rose-pink, salmon-pink, lavender-pink, etc. In the 
reds, light, medium, dark, maroon and black-red. This general classification, we 
trust, will assist somewhat in making selections. 
We have reason to be proud of the fine collection of peonies we are growing in 
our nursery at the present time and also pleased with the list we have to offer cur — 
customers which, we think, will compare favorably with that of any grower in the 
country. 
Not only have we made outstanding additions to our peony otferings but we 
have also substantially increased our list of iris and hemerocallis. These additions, in 
most cases, comprise the very newest originations in these fine perennials. 
Since we prepared our catalog last season we have been exceedingly fortunate 
in becoming co-purchasers of the entire stock of two of the best peony collections in 
the east, consisting of the planting of the late Ernest Flint Kelsey of East Aurora, 
N. Y. and the fine collection of Col. J. C. Nicholls of Ithaca, N. Y. Both of these 
entire collections were removed last August and one half of the entire amount of 
both plantings was transported to Techny, Ill., by truck; there divided and carefully 
planted in excellent soil, and with normal conditions prevailing through the growing 
season, which we will supplement with constant care and cultivation, we will have 
a wonderful lot of fine plants to offer. 
Many of the originations of both Mr. Kelsey and Col. Nicholls are little known, 
in fact not many of them are to be found in any peony collection, with a very few 
exceptions. Col. Nicholls has produced some most outstanding and marvelous 
Japanese types, as well as a few fine single and many grand double types that will 
rank with the very best in existence. 
Again, Mr. Kelsey left behind a fine lot of white, pink and red Japanese As of 
peonies, and several fine singles, in these same colors that are still unnamed. This, 
together with the outstanding doubles he has produced, will leave to posterity some- 
thing to look forward to for many years to come and will prove a living monument 
to his genius and painstaking work. 
We have a stock of all these varieties in our possession and any that prove out- 
standing and worthy of introduction will receive proper recognition. 
As these plants are only one year old, we will refrain from offering many of 
them this season, allowing them to grow and develop another year into good, strong 
plants, the kind we want to distribute to our customers. 
This is not an easy thing to do, as we have some of the most exciting and out- 
standing varieties in our planting that have been produced to date and we are ex- 
ceedingly anxious to have them better known and more extensively grown. This is 
not prompted alone by any pecuniary remuneration we might receive, but is motivated 
chiefly by cur desire to have others enjoy their exciting loveliness and charm as we 
have been privileged to view them, as soon as it is expedient to do so. 
Both of these originators were very modest men who were rather reticent in 
voicing the merits of their handiwork. For this reason, many of these varieties 
originated some years ago have never been given the publicity they richly deserve. 
Peony admirers have marveled at the outstanding loveliness of Marilla Beauty; the 
clarity of tone coloring found in Mrs. Livingston Farrand; the entrancing beauty of 
Nancy Nicholls and a few others; but very few have had the opportunity or pleasure 
to see Mother’s Day, a glorified Elsa Sass, if such a thing is possible; Ruth Clay, an 
outstanding red that will thrill you; Charlene, possessing an attractiveness that few 
peonies have; Party Gown, a large satiny white of dainty loveliness; To Kalon, a real 
find of exceptional quality and ideally suited for exhibition purposes; Blush, unusu- 
ally attractive and appealing to the eye; Pastel, a charming peony very aptly named. 
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