A FLOWER HOBBY 233 



Of the easiest irises there are a dozen or more 

 species; and as these bloom in April, May, June 

 and July, the hobby opportunities are enough to 

 bring contentment without going in for those that 

 require coddling. The latter are a small army. 

 There are more than thirty bulbous and tuberous- 

 rooted species that are hardy in England where 

 they bloom from November to June, and fifteen of 

 the cushion irises, mostly from Palestine. Some of 

 these, /. reticulata, I. pavonia, L alaia and /. 

 susiana, have been wintered outdoors in this country 

 and there are others that would survive with the 

 protection that they get abroad. The truth is that 

 more plants would prove hardy in American gar- 

 dens if they were given the care that they have in 

 England. There the gardeners not only take all 

 pains to place tender plants in sheltered spots and 

 to give them winter protection to suit their individ- 

 ual needs, but small glass frames hand ones 

 are used freely in winter and spring and also to 

 enable bulbs and tubers to secure their required 

 "dry season" after blooming. 



The rose genus is a fascinating field for a flower 

 hobby along lines that have seldom been tried by 

 the amateur. There are a great many species, both 

 bush and climbing; and if the space is available, a 

 fair representation of these will make a collection 

 of practically assured permanence. Anyone who 

 takes up species in this way will find their beauty a 

 revelation and will not wonder that single roses 

 stand so high in culture today. Or a species may be 



