MAKE "THE CITY BEAUTIFUL" 41 



The following lines, written for The United Press, July, 1917, 

 indicate that if the present European War continues much longer 

 the ladyships of other lands than China and Japan may find a 

 similar use for the Iris: 



"In France they've taken all the rice 



To hoard for food supply, 

 So powderless all dames must go, 



Of low degree or high. 

 Henceforth each Gallic feminine 



Will feel she looks a fright, 

 And shiny noses soon become 

 A common Paris sight." 



Margaret Mason. 



Pieces of orris root are sometimes placed with clothing in chif- 

 foniers, trunks and chests, to impart to it an agreeable perfume. 

 The French peasants string pieces together, pour boiling water 

 on them, and immerse their bed linen in the liquid, in order to 

 give it a pleasant odor. After use the pieces are re-dried and 

 stored awav for future use. 



A FEW VARIETIES 



The following are only a very few of the hundreds of varieties 

 of Tall Bearded Iris, and most of them of comparatively recent 

 introduction just enough to indicate the wide range of colors of 

 the early and late varieties. They are numbered in the approxi- 

 mate order of their blooming approximate only, for situation, 

 soil and season are greatly modifying factors and those beginning 

 about the same time to bloom are given the same number. 



In the description the figures indicate in inches the height of 

 the flower stalk, "S" refers to the three standards or upright seg- 

 ments, and "F" to the three falls or drooping segments. The de- 

 scriptions of the flowers are necessarily only general, for there is 

 hardly any other flower as difficult as the Iris, "The Rainbow 

 Flower," to either describe in words or represent in colors. 



"What skillful limner e'er would choose 

 To paint the rainbow's varying hues, 

 Unless to mortal it were given 

 To dip his brush in dyes of heaven?" 

 Scott: Marmion. 



