THE IRIS. 231 



would take but a short time for a splendid shelter. But we 

 tliiuk the very best is Grandiilora Eosea Tartarica. This is 

 of upright habit, a rapid grower with large bright red flowers 

 striped with white. The blooms are deliciously fragrant, the 

 flowers followed by large bright red l)erries. We can not em- 

 phasize this matter too strongly. Every spring you will note 

 the great difference between the protected and unprotected 

 flowers. 



We have a clump of Festiva ]Maxima peonies south of the 

 house on which we have counted 65 large flower buds, all striv- 

 ing to open and cover the plant with a mantle of purest white. 

 Out in the windswept field we have 500 of the same kind, and 

 it takes on the average 3 clumps to produce one flower. This 

 is on account of the full sweep of the fierce northwest wind 

 which nips the flowers in the bud. Irises open all right in the 

 open, but they are so ethereally beautiful ; the wind soon de- 

 spoils them of that exquisite delicacy and fragile loveliness 

 we so much admire. A royal family would not think of buf- 

 feting the fierce storms out in the open in full court dress. 

 Your hedge will be in full leaf and bloom about the time many 

 of the flowers open. 



First come the columbines, such an immense family — all 

 striving to see which can attract the most attention. Like a 

 troup of merry little girls, each coyly inviting inspection of 

 her pretty dress, and without saying it rather hinting that 

 hers is the finest. In that secluded spot they grow taller and 

 the blooms are larger and more beautiful than in the open. 

 We have had them grow four feet tall under good protection, 

 when without it they would not be over eighteen inches. In 

 fact, a flower to do her best should have the very best chance. 

 Here are the bleeding hearts and how they do enjoy this quiet. 

 Then come the glowing oriental poppies (perennials) won- 

 derful flowers, some of them nine inches across — a bed of 

 them like a sea of fire. They do not like such heavy headgear 

 to be buffeted by the winds any more than a girl with her 

 two-bushel hat would like to be caught in a windstorm. 



