4^6 ]oitr)ial of Agriculture . [8 July, 1907. 



varieties), in wliich are included other types and their hybrids. The 

 chief characteristics of this group are: — The foHage is broad and in most 

 varieties dwarf, rising from a creeping root-stock or rhizome, and the 

 flowers large, generally blue, purple, and white in coloxir. They are 

 all hardy and will thrive in almost any situation. Flowers of this section 

 are produced in spring. The Japanese iris (/. Kcempferi) is fibrous 

 rooting, and produces tufts of foliage 3 or 4 feet in height when well 

 grown, above which the large distinct flowers are borne during summer. 

 There is a greater range of colour in this, thao in any other section. It 

 grows to perfection when planted beside water-courses and in other other 

 damp places, but will also thrive fairly in ordinary borders if the soil is 

 of a loamy nature. It may be seen blooming during the summer months 

 in the mixed groups and borders at the Melbourne Botanic Gardens. The 

 Director of the Gardens, Mr. W. R. Guilfoyle, has caused irises of various 

 species to be planted in almost all conceivable situations, and has suc- 

 ceeded in producing fine plants that bloom freely in most unlikely places. 



The Spanish and English irises (also known as XipJiioits) with other 

 species, including reticulatum alatum and junceum, are true bulbous 

 plants that produce their flowers during spring and summer. In the 

 so-called English irises, the original types of which are natives of Spain 

 and Portugal, the colours of the flowers are white and purplish shades ; 

 while the flowers of the Spanish irises are vellow, broiize, white, and lilac 

 in colour. The foliage of this class is usually narrow and rounded. 



The irises are plants worthy of much more extended culture in this 

 State, being in most cases very hardv and easily grown — thriving without 

 artificial watering. They produce beautiful flowers, which are excellent 

 for general decorative purposes, and totally unlike those of anv other hardv 

 plant. 



Soil — Situation — Culture. 



The Flag iris will succeed in almost any kind of soil, that of a 

 loamy nature being most suitable. No manure is required unless the soil is 

 very poor and shallow, when some well rotted cow^ or stable manure should 

 be incorporated. Good drainage and sunny positions should be provided. 

 The plants are increased by divisions of the root stock. A piece of the 

 parent plant may be cut off with roots attached, and planted at about 

 the same depth as originally occupied ; the bare covering of the creeping 

 shoot — as it really is — being sufficient. The soil should be firmlv pressed 

 and afterwards watered as in the case of planting out generallv. After 

 culture is mainly cleaning and weeding. 7. Kamfferi is an example of 

 herbaceO'Us iris with fibrous roots, and is propagated bv dividing the parent 

 crown or tuft. This class requires a cool moist soil, and grows to perfec- 

 tion in some of the gardens and nurseries at Upper Macedon. While 

 damp, or even wet situations are suitable, it niust not be assumed that thev 

 will succeed in sour soil. They will endure abundance of moving water, 

 but not that which is stagnant. Divisions of the fibrous rooting kinds 

 may be planted during autumn or early spring. 



The bulbous section should be planted in- autumn in well drained and 

 rather light soil. They are increased from olfsets of the bulbs. The 

 bulbs should be planted at a depth of 4 to 6 inches, and about 4 inches 

 apart to allow for multiplication. They are most effective in the garden 

 when planted in large patches, and may be allowed to grow undisturbed 

 for three or four vears. 



