Propagation 207 



At transplanting time the rootstock gives little in- 

 dication of its future form, but looks very much like 

 an onion bulb. See illustration of a seedling (Fig. XV) 

 on page 123. 



After growth begins water frequently during the 

 growing season. The first winter the plants should 

 be protected with a light cover as recommended under 

 Subsequent Care, page 186 to prevent them from 

 being thrown out by alternate freezing and thawing, 

 as they will not then be very strongly anchored. 



Some, if in rich ground and abundantly watered 

 during the growing season and well cared for, will 

 bloom the second spring, but most of them will bloom 

 after the second spring. 



Plants obtained by division will of course bear 

 flowers the same as the parent plant, but there is 

 likely to be a great variation in the colors of the seed- 

 lings. See under Origination of Varieties in Chapter X. 



And new creations do the old succeed, 



As late and unknown beauties rise from seed. 



Lawrence: Paradice Regained, or The 

 Art of Gardening. (1728.) 



Persons whose only enjoyment of a flower is in 

 inhaling its perfume or seeing the beauty of its form 

 or color, should buy Iris plants instead of raising them 

 from seed, for they will get flowers sooner and with 

 less trouble. 



