268 BULBS 



Double daffodils are naturalized by the acre in England, but 

 the most refined taste objects to double flowers of any kind in wild 

 gardening. With that exception Americans should tie to Mr. 

 Kirby's list on page 88 of his book, favouring the cheapest 

 varieties in every case. 



WATER SIDE EFFECTS WITH BULBS 



The most enchanting of all floral pictures are those which are 

 mirrored in the water. The English understand well the value of 

 narcissi on the banks and the necessity of planting the margins 

 everywhere, except as clearings are needed for boat landings, 

 bridges, and other practical needs. 



The finest bulbs for water side planting are the irises. Strictly 

 speaking, the only bulbous irises are the English and Spanish, which 

 are too gardenesque for naturalizing, as also are the German. 

 But the rhizomatous irises are regularly sold in the fall by bulb 

 dealers, and culturally the distinction is of small importance. 

 Dwarf irises are likely to be overrun at the water side, but tall ones 

 are very lovely there. 



Fortunately, the tall yellow flag that grows well in Europe 

 does very well with us and so do Japanese irises which have the 

 largest flowers of all, often eight inches across and sometimes ten 

 or twelve. I wish some one who owns half a mile of brook would 

 show us thousands of Japan iris in bloom as I saw them at the 

 gardens of the Royal Horticultural Society. A faint idea of this 

 glory is given by the picture at plate 90. But good taste sug- 

 gests that he omit the double and variegated sorts, contenting 

 himself with a few varieties of simple colours. 



So far I have spoken only of wild gardening, which implies 

 a large scale of operations and considerable wealth. But all the 



