The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1939-04-20
Sound Advice To
Libby Peony Growers

Since Libby is soon to have an
extensive planting of peonles We
have thought few words from one
who has long grown them might
prove helpful to those making flrst
planting.
The peony is one Of the most
beautiful of all flowers and has
been grown in the famous gardens
Of the world for hundreds of years.
The $50 roots that are to be planted
here this year if made to grow sue
eessfully will bring much beauty to
our community.
We have found most helpful the
advice and instructions given II Nj
A. NJ. Brands Peony Manual. Mr.
Brand Of Fairbault. MINI. and his
father before HIM. has grown pc
onies for IS years and IS perhaps
the largest grower and originator III
America He grows hundreds OF
acres of them and each year places
number OF new ones which he has
originated on the market many OF
these being priced as high as $4,000
apiece.
The two varieties to be planted
here, Festiva Maxima and Mons
Jules Ellie, are both old varieties,
the first originated in 1851, the lat
ter in 1888. They have been very
extensively planted which accounts
for the low price for which they
may be purchased Mr.. Brand,
though he did not originate either
of these. says of Festiva Maxima,
This is the most all around popular
white peony The blossom, which
is very large, is of true rose type. q
mass of rich petals with carmine
flecked center. This flower is ad
mired by everyone and should bt
in every collection" OF Jules Ellie
One of the largest and most beau
tiful of all peonies. an immense sci
colored flesh pink. shaded deepel
toward base of petals, it resemble
a great crysanthemum We woult
rather sell root of Mons julie
Ellie to a beginner than any othe
peony.
Most everyone in Libby has seer
the fine specimen ptants grown b.
Mr. and Mrs. Dexter in front of thel
home. These are Festiva Maxima
Preparation for receiving tn
plants should begin now before the,
arrive. A place should be selected
where each root will be set. MI
Brand says, "A good peony well 10
Gated should be almost permanent
A strong root we'll planted and prop
erly cultivated is good for fit
years or more without change
There are authentic cases of peonie
that have remained undistrubed 70
lbs years and still produce lots {
good bloom" So we should try
give our plants intelligent care
This is Mr.. Brands method {
planting: when the roots arriv
immerse them in water from to
hours. The packing material shout
be washed away great care bein
taken not to injure the buds. remov
all labels before planting Ii plant
ed in beds space them three
four feet apart. the latter gives fir
est blooms. Dig a hole 2 feet i
diameter and 18 inches deep. Fl
in hole eight or ten inches wit
we'll rotted manure or rich eartf
pack with foot. over this put ses
eral inches of good garden soil, pac
carefully. Place root directly in Ger
ter of hole the top of buds inche
below top surface of ground. La
a flat stick across top Of hole an
carefully measure two inches dow
from this to top of buds. Fill in SO
about roots carefully with finger
tramp down being careful of bud
Fill in and around over top just
little bit If planting on lawn pla'
where they receive plenty Of 81