THE AMERICAN IRIS SOCIETY 
INVITES YOU 
TO BECOME A MEMBER 
If you are not one already; why not? Find out 
more about your favorite flower, the Iris, its habits, etc. 
This society brings you four big bulletins during the 
year, each a complete book, which contains interesting 
and authoritative information on iris culture, arrange- 
ments, color combinations in the garden, notes on exhib- 
ition policies, annual lists of favorite varieties, award 
winners and news of iris activities everywhere. Annual 
dues are $3.50 per year. Mail check to us or direct to 
American Jris Society, 444 Chestnut St., Nashville 10, 
Tennessee. 
The best book available on Irises is ‘‘The Iris—-A 
Hardy Perennial.” It is a must for the Garden Library, 
and for all iris enthusiasts. Price $2.50. Send your order 
direct to the American Iris Society, 444 Chestnut St., 
Nashville 10, Tennessee. 
PEONIES 
We have been requested by our many customers 
to give them a brief summary on the art of planting 
peonies so they might have blooms the following spring. 
For best results peonies should be planted in Sep- 
tember or October in full sun; and spaced about 38 feet 
apart. 
Dig the holes as big and deep as the peony root and 
then dig two inches deeper. Put in a handful of well-rotted 
manure or a Tablespoon of Commercial Fertiziler, mix- 
ing thoroughly with soil, then add two inches of top soil, 
placing the peony roots on this, taking care that the 
peony roots do not touch the manure or fertilizer. Plant 
the peony so that the eyes or buds are an inch below the 
surface of the soil. Pack the soil firmly about the roots 
and crevices of the peony so there will be no air pockets; 
then when it is packed firmly about the eyes, tramp 
about the plant so as to firm the soil. Taking care not 
to bruise the eyes or buds, 
Then pour in one bucket of water, leave water seep 
away entirely, then with a rake loosely cover the top 
of peony with the remainder of soil; so eyes are about 1 
to 2 inches covered. Don’t tramp on soil, but leave ground 
loosely so it will act as a mulch for the plant. Peonies 
should be mulched the first year after planting to pre- 
vent heaving; after they are well established no protec- 
tion 1s necessary. 
Very little cultivation is necessary except to remove 
weeds. The best time to destroy weeds is very early in 
the spring before the plants have made much growth, 
or late in fall after the tops have been cut off. During 
the summer, the top two inches of soil should be kept 
loose by shallow hoeing, 
Remember, that when picking peony flowers it is 
advisable to leave at least 8 flowering stalks complete. 
However, take no more stem than is actually required 
for the arrangement. Leave at least 2 or 3 leaves below 
the point where the stem is cut. If the foliage is cut back 
shortly after blooming the plants are deprived of 
their next year’s food supply. The foliage of the peony 
should not be cut off until it has been killed by hard 
frosts. If the foliage has dried off, then cut it off to the 
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