206 Tall Bearded Iris 



If it is desired to avoid all possible danger of seed- 

 lings appearing in the fall and being injured during 

 the winter, the seed should be sown the latter part 

 of October. 



The seedlings should be cared for the same as seed- 

 lings in general. They may be transplanted to per- 

 manent quarters any time after they are large enough 

 to handle conveniently the leaves will be four to 

 eight inches long about the middle of June provided 

 the planting is done in time for them to become es- 

 tablished before the ground freezes say, by the fore 

 part of August. Dig the planting bed deep, and, if 

 necessary, provide for drainage as suggested under 

 Planting, page 157. Thrust a wide butcher-knife into 

 the soil, two or three inches deeper than the length 

 of the roots, and push the handle forward. Drop the 

 plant into the opening thus made, with the roots 

 hanging and spread out, so that the rudimentary 

 rhizome will be about an inch or so below the surface. 

 Now withdraw the knife and thrust it into the soil, 

 an inch or two from the first opening, at such an 

 angle that the point of the knife will strike the bottom 

 of the first opening, and draw towards the plant 

 thus firming the soil against the roots and withdraw 

 the knife and fill the second opening. If the knife is 

 not wide enough for the largest plants use the spade 

 for them. Some commercial growers on a large scale, 

 who transplant in August when the plants are large, 

 use a large trowel and firm the soil with their feet. 

 As to the distance apart, see suggestions under How 

 to Plant, page 177. 



