IRIS. 199 



the approved varieties are increased by offsets, 

 which they abundantly produce. The bulbous- 

 rooted Iris prospers best in a poor, light, sandy 

 loam, where it is exposed to an eastern aspect. 

 The seeds of these plants are generally ripe in 

 August, when they should immediately be sown 

 in slight drills, about six inches from each other. 

 In the following spring the young plants appear 

 above the earth, with a resemblance to young 

 onions. In shis state they will require no other 

 care than weeding. In August or September of 

 the third year after sowing, they should be trans- 

 planted into clumps or beds, at about eight inches 

 apart each way : in two or three years from their 

 removal most of them will blossom, and new 

 varieties may be expected. 



In Africa the roots of the edulis Iris are esteemed 

 as food after being boiled, and they are eagerly 

 sought for in that quarter of the world by the 

 monkeys. 



It is the Florentine Iris, Florentina, whose roots 

 when dried give out that agreeable perfume so 

 similar to the odour of Violets . 



This medicinal root, which is principally brought 

 from Leghorn, was in great demand when hair- 

 powder was more generally worn, as what was sold 

 as violet-powder was nothing more than a propor- 



