266 THE GARDEN, YOU, AND I 



ences are a complex subject that we need not discuss, 

 the whole matter being something akin to one of the 

 dear old Punch stories that adorn Evan's patriotic 

 scrap-book. 



A railway porter, puzzled as in what class of freight 

 an immense tortoise shall be placed, as dogs are the 

 only recognized standard, pauses, gazing at it as 

 he scratches his head, and mutters, "Cats is dogs 

 and rabbits is dogs, but this 'ere hanimal's a hin- 

 sect!" The Iris may be, in this respect, a "hinsect," 

 but we will reckon it in with the lilies. 



The culture of this Japan Iris is very simple and 

 well worth while, for the species comes into bloom in 

 late June and early July, when the German and other 

 kinds are through. I should dig the wet soil from 

 the spot of which you speak, for all muck is not good 

 for this Iris, and after mixing it with some good loam 

 and well- rotted cow manure replace it and plant the 

 clumps of Iris two feet apart, for they will spread 

 wonderfully. In late autumn they should have a 

 top dressing of manure and a covering of corn stalks, 

 but, mind, water must not stand on your Iris bed in win- 

 ter; treating them as hardy plants does not war- 

 rant their being plunged into water ice. It is almost 

 impossible, however, to give them too much water in 



