132 ON THE CULTURE OF THE IRIS BICOLOR. 



singular and beautiful species of Iris (Hermodactylus), introduced to 

 our gardens so long ago as the year 1597. I do this the more readily 

 because it deserves a place in every garden where a choice collection 

 of plants is kept ; and besides, it forms a necessary link in the large 

 and beautiful family of Iridese. But first as to the identity of the 

 species ; and on this point it may be remarked, that in " Sweet's 

 British Flower Garden," vol. v. page 146, there is the figure of a 

 species of snake's head ; yet that is not the plant in question. On 

 the contrary, I believe the Iris bicolor to be identical with the Iris 

 tuberosa, in the Bot. Mag., page 531, though the figure of it there 

 given is very poor. I got the plant from Pontefract eleven years ago, 

 and this is the fifth intervening season it has bloomed under my care. 

 I have about one hundred roots, and forty of them are now blooming. 

 The soil consists of two parts of turfy peat, one of white sand, and 

 one of completely rotted stable manure, all rubbed well together. It 

 is not sifted, but a little of the finest is placed about the tubers when 

 planted. They should be planted six inches deep, and there should 

 be placed below the tubers a compost to the depth of at least nine 

 inches. The plant is hardy, and should be placed in an open situa- 

 tion ; it will require no protection except when in bloom, the flowers 

 being often destroyed by spring frosts. I had twenty blossoms com- 

 pletely cut off in the year 1838. The best, and indeed the only time 

 to remove the roots with safety, is when they are in a quiescent state. 

 The foliage will be dying down from about the end of May to the 

 middle of June, when they should be taken up and kept in sand, in 

 a moderately dry place for about a month, and afterwards planted in 

 compost as above mentioned. If the plants be in pots, they may of 

 course be removed any time, but I have found that the species can- 

 not be kept in health long together in pots. Care should be taken 

 not to break off the digitals of the root, in taking up and planting, for 

 if that happen, the root will certainly not bloom. Something of this 

 sort occurs, when the roots are left undisturbed the whole summer ; 

 for being fleshy, the worms and various insects are attracted to them, 

 which gnaw and separate the digitals, if they do not destroy the roots. 

 But there would be no chance of the plant living for a long time in a 

 cool adhesive soil, where worms, &c. would not be likely to abound. 



