120 THE GARDEN BEAUTIFUL 



ber of hybrids and crosses obtained by the plant 

 breeder that today a large and varied collection of 

 iris will rival in beauty and interest that of any 

 family in the plant kingdom. In German iris al- 

 most every color but a pure, deep yellow may be 

 obtained in the local market. We have iris known 

 as English, German, Spanish, Japanese, alpine, and 

 numbers of others with less comprehensive geo- 

 graphical names, yet not less beautiful or desirable. 

 All are happily very cosmopolitan in their require- 

 ments, so that no one need fear failure in their 

 culture. 



Moraea iridioides is the name of a beautiful flower 

 of the iris family, close to the true irises, from 

 which it differs but in floral organs. The ground 

 color is pure white, and the narrow petals have a 

 midrib of deep yellow, while the broader set are 

 delicately etched through the middle with chocolate 

 brown. Unlike the true irises this plant blooms at 

 any season. 



DUTCH OR HOLLAND BULBS 



The principal Dutch bulbs grown in California 

 are hyacinths, narcissi, and tulips. This class is 

 called Dutch bulbs, not because they are natives of 

 Holland, but because nearly all these bulbs are prop- 

 agated and grown in Holland. Both the climate 

 and soil in Holland appear to be remarkably favor- 

 able to the growth of this class of bulbs. The soil 

 where they are grown is sandy, with water a short 

 distance below the surface, so that the plants are 

 practically secure from drouth. Shipments of bulbs 

 are made in autumn from Holland to all parts of 

 the world. We usually receive them about October, 

 and they are ready to be started for blooming as 

 soon as received. The planting should not be long 

 delayed, that is, it must be done during the fall 



