THE CALIFORNIAN SPECIES 53 



crossed these two species and obtained some very flori- 

 ferous hybrids, which are now obtainable under the awk- 

 ward but informing name of Tollong (Tolmeianaxlongi- 

 petala). 



The true /. longipetala has larger flowers, the falls being 

 veined with deep violet on a grey-white ground, and the 

 standards being plain lilac. These two Irises and their 

 hybrid offspring are some of the few American species that 

 apparently succeed in calcareous soil. Foster was practi- 

 cally unable to grow in the wonderful Shelford garden any 

 other of the beautiful Californian species, which with the 

 exception of /. longipetala are lime-haters. 



As these Californian plants have been mentioned, it 

 will perhaps be best to give an account of them next. 

 They are as little known as they are beautiful. Two things 

 seem to have contributed to keep them out of our gardens. 

 The first is undoubtedly the great difficulty that is en- 

 countered in establishing them, when transplantation is 

 attempted at the favourite autumn season. They must be 

 moved when in growth, and preferably when growth is 

 just beginning in spring. An examination of the base of the 

 side growth will soon show when the new roots are pushing 

 out, and this is the time when plants may be shifted with 

 success. 



The only other method of obtaining these species is to 

 raise seedlings and plant them out in summer, when they are 

 still quite small, in light soil rich in humus and deficient in 

 lime. Growth will then be rapid, and the plants well able 

 to stand the winter, and some should flower in the following 

 year. The members of the Californian group are all 

 absolutely hardy in England, even though we might have 



