File:Peonies for pleasure (16208385188).jpg

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AATE take very great pleasure in
presenting to trie Peomj -world tke
introductioiis ot Mrs. Sarah A. Pleas,
lormerlu of Indiana, now 01 Cali-
fornia.
Mrs. Pleas has tke distinction of
being tke first woman in tke world
to introduce new varieties of Peonies,
and good ones, too. Ske kas been
working for a number of uears prac-
tically unnoticed and uukeralded.
In February, 1916, tke writer sug-
gested ker name to tke Secretary of
tke American Peonu Society for hon-
orary memberskip, wkick at tke next
meeting of tke Society keld in New
York City, June, 1916, was con-
ferred on ker 'in recognition of ker
services to Peouvj culture in America,"
an konor 'well merited altkougk late
in arriving.
Mrs. Pleas kas been giving ker
attention for upwards of forty uears to
Peomj culture. Tkere kave been a
number of ker Peonies going under
sunonums. Tke list we name is in-
tended to be autkentic and is compiled
from information suppked bu Mrs.
Pleas and from ker friends wko kave been interested in ker Peonies. W' e kere present a kst of ker
Peonies most talked about, altkougk bu no means a complete list In future editions of "Peonies for
Pleasure it is expected to add to this list: Alpka and Omega, Altar Candles, Boucjuet of Flowers,
Dr. Edgar Pleas, Elwood Pleas, Golden Nugget, Golden Wedding, Gupsu Queen, Josepk Griffin,
Jubilee, Ladu Emilu, Ladu Iris, Little Nell, Madame Pleas, Maru Anderson, Mau Davidson, Midsum-
mer Nigkt s Dream, Mrs. M. B. Beckett, Multiflora, Opal, Orange Prince, Pearled Rose, Queen of tke
Pleasance, Ralpk, Rosvj Dawn, Sarak, T. B. Terry, Tke Gem, Tke Jewel, White Swan.
THE QUEST OF LOVE
MRS. SARAH A. PLEAS
The Pioneer Woman Peony Originator of the World.
O! garden mine, what pleasure waits
Among your rows of gorgeous bloom
For one who finds within your gates
The title deeds to vast estates
Of wealth, in beauty and perfume.
Today I come with new intent
To find the fairest flower of all
In form and color, si?e and scent,
Ah, he will know how much is meant
When by his name the flower I call.
How beautiful the flower must be
To make it worthy of his name,
That other eyes than mine can see
What his dear memory is to me
Whose love I count as more than fame.
Here's one that's white with heart of
gold
A censer cup, for incense rare
And here is one of perfect mold
Whose silken petals seem to hold
The secret of all beauty there.
Bvj Sarah A.. Pleas
Here's one as pure, as white as snow
Fresh fallen on this world of ours
No hint of hue its petals show;
Shall I my name of names bestow
On this to make it King of flowers?
Here's one so bright it glows like flame,
What glorious color it has caught
From days and nights of June that
came
To make it worthy the dear name
Which I have ever in my thought!
Ah, look at this! So large, so sweet,
A fluffy ball of pink and gold
In form and color all complete
Would we might stay the summer's
feet
To keep such beauty in our hold!
O, which to choose! so fair are they —
So rich in color, form, perfume!
But which the fairest, who shall say?
I needs must come another day
To find my garden's richest bloom.
So in a sweet bewilderment
I turn to leave my peony beds;
I have not found the flower I meant
To gwe the name I love, but spent
The morning hours where beauty
spreads.
Such charms before me that I fear
I cannotchoose among them all
Since each and all, I hold so dear
And yet — The one flower must be
here,
That love by his dear name would call.
O, here, I see! Close to me nods
A flower the color— soft blush rose.
So large, so sweet! Ah, by all odds,
This is a flower to please the Gods —
The best that in my garden grows!
My quest ends here, no farther I
Need seek among my peonies
To find the fairest flower, I cry
"O, royal bloom!" and he seems nigh
"I christen thee the Elwood Pleas
Read wkat a heart lull of praise savjs 01 trie Peonij:
THE LURE OF THE PEONY
A Eulogvj Lvj C. S. Harrison, of Nebraska, Written June, 1909.
If vjou should receive the announcement that ijou -were to nave a visit from thousands upon thousands of the best
dressed and most beautiful visitors that ever came to earth ijou would liaturallu; feel like taking a vacation and enjouing
such delightful companionship. I am a busvj man, but there is no resisting the lure of all this bewitching loveliness.
Theuj have come, the advance guard, the great masses of dazzling splendor; the rear guard, strong, full orbed and
stately, will shortlvj bring up the last of the procession.
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