MAKE 'THE CITY BEAUTIFUL" 29 



PLANTING 



Where to Plant The Iris is a sun lover and grows most luxu- 

 riantly and flowers most abundantly in full exposure to the sun. 

 It will grow well and flower to some extent in partial shade if 

 normal moisture is available, but the quantity of flowers it will 

 produce will usually be in proportion to the amount of sunshine 

 it receives. In dense shade it is usually flowerless. The floren- 

 tinas and germanicas are among the best for shady places. 



It is not particular as to soil. It will thrive in either heavy 

 or light soil, but the former is preferable to the latter if very light. 

 Ordinary good deep garden loam suits it best. Unless the soil is 

 poor, fertilizers are unnecessary, but if a richer soil is wanted dig 

 in a little well rotted manure that is at least a year old, or a little 

 bone meal. Irises like a little lime. Ordinarily there is enough 

 of this element present, but when it is lacking it may be supplied 

 in the form of pulverized old mortar or powdered slacked lime. 



Whatever the soil, good drainage is essential. A moist soil 

 suits the Iris admirably if the drainage is good, but in the ab- 

 sence of drainage much moisture will cause decay. Moist during 

 the growing season and dry the remainder of the year is the 

 condition that suits it best. It does well in a dry situation where 

 most plants would perish of drought, and its ability to withstand 

 heat and drought is one of its most valuable characteristics. 



It is as indifferent to atmosphere as to soil. While of course 

 it thrives best in a reasonably pure atmosphere, and is less sightly 

 with soiled foliage, it does remarkably well in an atmosphere 

 frequently and to a considerable extent charged with dust, smoke 

 or soot. 



How to Plant Cut back the foliage to four or five inches. 

 Cut away entirely all old and decayed rootlets and reduce the 

 new ones to manageable length. If any of the latter have been 

 broken, bruised or dried up cut them back to sound fresh tissue. 

 Having dug the ground at least a spade depth, dig a hole a little 

 larger than may be necessary to allow the rootlets to be spread 

 out at full length, and make a mound in the center, with the top 

 a little about the thickness of the rhizome below the level of 



