226 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



results have been secured. Sir Michael Poster, of England, 

 has been an enthusiast with this flower and has produced 

 some fine crosses. Mr, C. G. Van Tubergen, of Holland, has 

 also had splendid success. W. J. Carparne, of the Isle of 

 Guernsey, has had encouraging results in hybridizing the 

 early Alpine dwarfs with later and stronger varieties. 



Probably no one in America has done more to propagate 

 and introduce the iris than B. H. Farr, of Wj^omissing, Head- 

 ing, Pa. He has originated some verv fine ones and has hun- 

 dreds more on the way. 



THE ROOT SySTB:M. 



These flowers may be divided into three classes, the rhizo- 

 matous, with rhizomes reaching out from the plant in every 

 direction. These are the German and others nearly allied to 

 them. The bulbous have bulbs like tulips. These belong to 

 three families, the English, Spanish, and June irises. The 

 English are called xiphioides. They grow about as tall as 

 tulips, often bearing two or three flowers to a stalk. There 

 are some fine sorts among them with quite delicate and pleas- 

 ing blossoms. 



The Spanish, called xiphium, are taller and stronger. These 

 grow about two feet high and are more showy than the En- 

 glish. Among these are numerous varieties. Some of these 

 are natives of Italy, Algiers, and other parts of Africa. We 

 have tried both of the above species, and while they produce 

 delicate and charming little flowers they are not at all satis- 

 factory. If left in the ground the bulbs deteriorate, and when 

 we are searching for hardy perennials we want something 

 that will take care of themselves. We would not advise any 

 one to bother with them when there are far more hardy and 

 beautiful types. 



The June irises also belong to the bulbous class. This is 

 quite a numerous family, with tall and dwarf as well as stem- 

 less varieties. We never have tested these and would not ad- 

 vise any one to do so unless they have ample means and have 



