88 BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS 



thrive in almost any fertile soil if planted about two inches deep. 

 It is the most economical to buy them in mixture, and, except 

 when a complete collection of Irises is being formed, it hardly 

 seems worth while to grow them under names ; but they can be 

 purchased distinct if desired. 



Then there are the Cushion Irises. These are a distinct and 

 remarkable class. The species called Gatesii is one of the most 

 perfectly beautiful things in the whole world of flowers. The 

 ground colouring is cream, but it is spangled over with silver, 

 and covered with a silvery venation. A yellow fringe or " beard " 

 completes one of Nature's most exquisite and dainty colour 

 schemes. It would be well if we could say of it, as of other 

 Irises, that it is very cheap, but it is still too scarce to be low-priced. 

 An equally remarkable "cushion" is the Mourning Iris, Susiana. 

 This has a colouring all its own. Closely surveyed, the ground 

 is seen to be of a greyish shade, but it is so heavily netted with 

 dark chestnut brown that the general effect is sombre. It is a 

 singular, almost weird, and altogether extraordinary-looking flower, 

 yet it is in no way forbidding; on the contrary, it possesses a 

 real charm, that does not quickly fade. After flowering, it is bene- 

 fited by being protected with glass, which will focus the sun on 

 it, and give it a thorough roasting, while throwing off heavy rain 

 in wet weather. Experts recommend planting late in autumn, in 

 order to discourage immediate growth, which might be injured 

 by hard frost. Should mild weather cause growths to start after 

 planting, some material should be kept at hand for throwing over 

 them in frosty weather. 



The Japanese Irises have flat flowers, and consequently differ 

 considerably from Flags, which have upright segments (" standards ") 

 and drooping ones ("falls"). If somewhat less attractive in shape, 

 they are equally rich in colour ; in fact, the Japanese are among the 

 most boldly painted of all Irises. It is not much use attempting to 

 grow them in dry soil ; they must have abundance of moisture if 



