Growing Flowers 81 



White hydrangeas may be colored blue by digging 

 a hole near the roots and pouring into it a little 

 indigo blue. 



Hydrangeas should be pruned immediately after 

 they cease blooming. In the South during the win- 

 ter the tops should be protected by placing over 

 the bushes a straw or brush covering. The flower 

 buds form in the fall and the cover will keep them 

 from being killed by the cold of the winter. In 

 the severe climates, the plants should be taken up 

 and carried to the cellar, or placed in the green- 

 house. 



Cuttings should be taken from hydrangeas in 

 August and should be chosen from growth which 

 has not flowered. The cuttings should be buried 

 about two thirds the length in sandy soil, and each 

 cutting should have at least one good, firm joint. 



Iris 



The Japanese iris requires a rich soil and plenty 

 of moisture. It should be taken up every two years 

 and the roots divided and more fertilizer added. 

 To start plants from seed will take a long time as 

 this is one of the plants which do not blossom the 

 first season when grown from seed. 



