228 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



potatoes. They separate verj' easily. Of course some kinds 

 increase more rapidl}^ than others. Sometimes they seem 

 quite ravenous and reach out and devour all the nutriment 

 within reach. The center will sometimes be starved to death 

 and there will be a vacant space, while the outside foragers 

 will push out furtlier and further for more nutrition. This 

 shows the need of frequent transplanting. 



IRIS WITH TUFTED ROOTS. 



These are of the Siberian and Japanese type and others of 

 a kindred nature. They also increase rapidly. The Blue Si- 

 berian is one of the hardiest in the world. We know of no 

 plant which understands multiplication better. After gTow- 

 ing two years you have a strong clump with heavy tops. You 

 pull these apart by main strength, and they subdivide into 

 individual plants. There are other sorts with roots some- 

 what peculiar, but these three classes embrace the most of 

 them. 



HYBRIDIZING. 



There are two methods of securing new varieties — the nat- 

 ural and artificial or scientific. Nature sends out her call to 

 the bee for help. Now the bee is a faithful servant and gives 

 ready answers. Beauty and SA\'eetness are the lure which 

 calls the insect. It is not the nectar alone which attracts. 

 The beautiful color of the flower is the flag which invites, tell- 

 ing where the sweets are hidden. The wanderer sees and an- 

 swers the signal. Did you ever watch the great bumble bee 

 as he goes from one columbine to another and creeps into the 

 flower for the nectar. He seems almost intoxicated with de- 

 light. As he goes into this storehouse he brushes off the pol- 

 len with his rough coat and carries it with him as he enters 

 the next flower. Thus he fertilizes it. He seems to gather a 

 tint from one and a shade from another, and when you sow 

 the seed thus fertilized you have charming results. We have 

 seen as raanv as fifty different kinds from the same seeding. 



