250 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 



5th. The Iris is divided into four great divisions. 



The Rhizomatous. These have rhizomes spreading out from the 

 center, something- like potatoes. They are separated and planted 

 singly. Some wish to plant large clumps. This is not a good plan 

 for the roots prey on each other and soon exhaust the soil. This group- 

 is the German and those closely related. 



The Tufted are the Siberian and the Japanese. The roots grow ia 

 tufted masses. If you look closely you will find that there are indi- 

 vidual plants all tied together. You pull these apart for planting or 

 selling. 



The bulbous are like Tulips. These are the Spanish, the English, 

 and the Juno va,rieties. With us they are not satisfactory. You can- 

 not depend on them. 



Then there are the Fingered Iris. These include the Hermo- 

 dacytlus, the Acorus or Jacobs sword and the Gigantea, also the Lon- 

 gipetella. These are later than the other sorts, but are of a hardy tribe 

 and are good multipliers. 



6th. Time of blooming. First comes the hardy little Pumila and 

 the dainty Verna which blooms with the Tulips. Then the Pumila 

 hybrids. Then the Germans which vary much in their time of bloom- 

 ing. Then comes the Acorus and the Gigantea and lastly the Japanese, 

 so you have flowers for about three months. 



7th. The Iris as cut flowers. If you wish to decorate your table 

 go out and cut your Iris with the dew on them. Be careful not to 

 bruise them. If yon wait until they are in full bloom they are so 

 delicate that they do not ship well. Cut them just as they are open- 

 ing, and they are all right. Put them in water and they will open 

 with more delicate bloom than if left out of doors. They are usually 

 on hand for Decoration Day. As in the Northern states the Peony is a 

 little tardy at that time, you have a splendid flower to take its place. 

 Though the individual flower may last but a few days, nature has 

 arranged for a succession of bloom. One bloom fades and another is 

 ready to take its place. I have thrown them on the packing house 

 floor and watched them. The top one blooms and fades and the one 

 below takes its place. That goes, to be followed by another. Vitality 

 seems to be stored in the stem to keep pushing them. Of course 

 when placed in water the process will continue longer. Hundreds 

 and thousands are now used for Decoration Day. 



The Iris can also be used for Forcing: put some choice ones in 

 pots or boxes in a sheltered place out of doors. Bring them into the 

 house in November and you will have fine flowers in the winter. 



BEAUTY OF BERBERIS THUNBERGH IN WINTER. 



Joseph Meelian. 



The merits of Berberis Thunbergii as a hedge plant is known to- 



