24 A REMINDER TO PLANT TO HELP 



They grow directly from the rhizome from its apex, or from 

 protuberances, mostly from the side of the rhizome, which them- 

 selves in time form branches or joints in fan shape whence a 

 cluster of leaves having a piece of the rhizome attached is some- 

 times called a "fan" and, generally, attain a height of 18 to 

 30 inches, according to the variety, averaging about 24 inches 

 except that the foliage of the interregnas is somewhat more 

 dwarf. Each leaf is folded lengthways in the middle, and the 

 two halves of the lower portion remain distinct, but above that 

 they unite and form a solid blade, and so the outside of the leaf 

 corresponds to what is the under side of leaves generally. Each 

 leaf sits saddle-fashion about the base of the leaf next above and 

 on the opposite side. 



Almost invariably the leaves are bright green, but Pallida 

 Folia Variegata (pallida) has green leaves with a broad band of 

 creamy yellow the whole length of the leaf. 



Usually from about the forepart of August the leaves of most 

 varieties gradually fade and wither, beginning at the tips, and es- 

 pecially if the plant is crowded or has become matted, and the 

 plant will then look shabby unless from time to time the withered 

 portions are cut off; but the leaves should not be wholly removed 

 except as hereinafter stated under "Enemies" until they have 

 fully performed their office and are entirely withered and will 

 come away with the slightest pull. The foliage of species native 

 to countries with mild winters remains fresh and green longer 

 than that of species of countries where the winters are more se- 

 vere. Thus germanica and florentina, native to southern Europe, 

 are there never entirely leafless, practically evergreen, but the 

 species native to the colder countries of central Europe, which 

 are noted ante under "Classification," there lose their leaves in 

 autumn. The varieties of each of the several species, even when 

 grown elsewhere than in the country of the species' origin, retain 

 this characteristic of the species to a marked degree. Here in 

 northern Illinois, which has a trying climate, substantially all 

 the foliage of each of the varieties of the germanica section, of 

 the florentinas and of the interregnas, remains green until late in 

 the season, and in the case of the germanicas and florentinas a 

 considerable portion continues green until the new growth starts 

 in the spring a touch of summer in the dead of winter. 



