OCTOBER: SECOND WEEK 267 



and correctly placed. If they are to be put in quite thickly, 

 as in using hyacinths in designs in solid beds, it will some- 

 times save time and insure perfect results to excavate the 

 whole bed to the depth of several inches, put the bulbs in 

 place, and cover. When several sorts are to be used in the 

 same bed, planted at different depths, the same method 

 may be used, starting with those to be planted deepest and 

 covering a layer at a time. 



Usually the quickest method of planting is with a blunt 

 dibble, marked plainly from two to ten inches, so that 

 you can tell just how deep you are making the holes. A 

 pail of coarse sand should also be at hand, and a handful 

 or so placed in the bottom of each hole; this protects the 

 bulb, insures good drainage directly under it, and prevents 

 it from resting over an empty air-space left by the point of 

 the dibble. 



The Bulbous Irises 



The Spanish irises seem to be less known than either 

 the Germans or the Japs, but they deserve wide popularity. 

 They may be grown easily almost anywhere. Moreover, 

 they are the cheapest of all irises, the bulbs usually costing 

 only a few cents a hundred. They are more delicate in 

 form and coloring than any of the popular sorts. 



All the common forms of iris should be transplanted in 

 summer. Handling at the usual spring-gardening season 

 is a direct injury and involves the loss of at least one year. 

 At any time after the blossoms fall the plants may be lifted 

 and divided and the separated root stocks put out wher- 

 ever they are wanted. This highly important fact with 

 respect to the time to transplant irises seems to be widely 

 overlooked. 



Exception must be made, however, in the case of the 

 Spanish irises. These grow from bulbs like tulips or cro- 

 cuses. The bulbs are grown extensively in Holland and are 

 brought to this country every fall along with the other 

 bulbs, arriving in September. They should be planted out 

 at once. They will make a splendid display the following 



