158 Tall Bearded Iris 



be north and south, so as to give the plants the greatest 

 exposure to the sun. If the soil is very heavy it will 

 probably be found beneficial to incorporate with it a 

 considerable proportion of pulverized old mortar or 

 coarsely ground limestone (the kind that farmers spread 

 on their fields). As to use of such materials, see 

 infra,) pages 160-161. The elevations should be of such 

 height that when the rhizomes are planted their under 

 surface will be above the level of the adjacent ground 

 even after the soil in the elevation has settled. The 

 top of the ridge should be made crowning, rather 

 than sharp, so that the rhizomes will not be washed 

 out by rain (Fig. XLII). 



FIG. XLII. IRISES RIDGE-PLANTING, FOR DRAINAGE 



To make such elevations it may be necessary to 

 obtain soil from some other place, so that the bottom 

 of the furrows will not be lower than the original 

 surface, as it is desirable that water should not stand 

 in the furrows. Moist during the growing season and 

 dry the remainder of the year, is the condition that 

 suits the Iris best. 



