IRISES 



119 



Typical German Iris Bloom 



8, standard, p, pistil; c. crest of pistil; st. p, 



stigmatic pocket; st, stamen; f, fall; t, tube; 



sp, spathe valve; o, ovary; r, reticulation; 



b, beard. 



It is the colors of the rainbow we deal with in growing Iris. When 

 the form of the Iris bloom is considered we realize that it 

 is most dainty and elegant and 

 surpassed by few other flowers. 

 The fragrance of many varie- 

 ties is so dainty that it vies 

 with that of any Rose. The 

 adaptabihty to varying con- 

 ditions, such as excessive mois- 

 ture, continued drought, ex- 

 tended freezing and almost 

 perfect baking, is remarkable. 

 The rapid reproduction of 

 most varieties is an important 

 point in its favor. Because of 

 all of these favorable attributes 

 we commend the various forms 

 of this incomparable flower. 



We shall mention only the 

 forms of easiest growth. They 



will be sufficient until one realizes the true range of excellence which is 

 found in the roll of its one hundred and forty species; then you will 

 grow Calif ornian Iris from seed, you will erect frames especially for the 

 proper drying of your Oncocyclus Iris and no amount of labor will be too 

 much if the new variety can only be made to bloom for you. That is 

 for the future. 



To appreciate the Iris one should have a Httle idea of what its parts 

 are. The flower consists normally of three petals which stand upright, 

 and three which droop more or less; these are well named, respectively, 

 the standards and the falls. Inside of the standards are noticed three 

 petal-like parts; these are actually lobes of the pistil, the female parts of 

 the flower; it is a most pecuhar formation, especiaUy when we know 

 that the httle fringed pocket at the apex of each is really the stigma or 

 part which receives the pollen. The two-forked tip of the pistil is called 

 the crest. Just beneath the pistil is a stamen, the male part of the 

 flower. If we look at a German Iris we will find a very heavy beard on 

 the base of the fall, while the Japanese and Siberian Irises do not have 

 this tuft of hairs. In some Irises the standards are very small, often 

 smaUer than the crests of the pistil. Many times the standards, 

 though large, do not stand upright at all. 



