CHAPTER IX 



Propagation 



HERE are several methods of propagat- 

 ing the Iris, but only two are of any 

 value. 



DIVISION. Propagation by division is the usual 

 method. A cluster of rhizomes before division (Fig. 

 IX, page 115, and Fig. XLIX, A, page 176) is what 

 is usually meant by the term " clump" in plantsmen's 

 Iris price-lists. Such a cluster may be divided, by 

 cutting or breaking, into a number of smaller clusters 

 (Fig. XLIX, B, page 176) and each treated as a plant. 

 Each separated cluster may in turn be divided by 

 separation of the individual branches (Fig. XLIX, D, 

 i, 2, 3, and 4, page 176), and the newer of such branches, 

 marked "i" in Fig. XLIX, D, page 176, are what 

 are usually meant by the term ''single roots" in Iris 

 price-lists. The individual rhizomes may be cut into 

 short pieces of an inch or two in length, and each 

 piece planted separately. The pieces, or at least many 

 of them, even some without either leaves, roots or 

 visible buds, which sometimes develop buds especially 

 those of the newer branches but sometimes also those 

 of the older ones (respectively i and 2, 3, 4, in Fig. 

 XLIX, page 176; and see Fig. IX, page 115) will in 

 time produce as good plants as single roots though 

 a longer time will be required. But, as a general rule, 



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