2Tt)e Summer JFlotoers. 137 



buttercups, swamps golden with marsh-mari- 

 golds, woods aflame with honeysuckles, fields 

 crimson with clover bird-song, insect-hum, and 

 flower-blossom on every side ! 



Among the large flowers of the garden, the 

 germanica section of the irises is first to ap- 

 pear. To recommend any special varieties would 

 be superfluous ; they are so numerous, and are 

 nearly all so beautiful. Easily grown, thriving 

 in light soil and sunshine, we rarely see enough 

 of them. This would not be the case if people 

 would take the trouble to divide large plants, 

 and thus not only obtain them more abundantly 

 for another year, but increase the size of the 

 flowers. The great bearded iris is one of the 

 most effective border plants; the cut flowers 

 are also beautiful when arranged with their 

 sword-shaped foliage. The Kcempferi, or Jap- 

 anese section, is advancing, while the bearded 

 iris is in bloom. Of these the varieties and 

 colors are also innumerable ; and, while more 

 rarely seen, it is likewise one of the finest of 

 perennials. Naturally a water-plant, it should 

 receive abundance of moisture to acquire its 

 full development. Where possible, it should be 

 grown as a bog-plant. I should like to see it 

 in company with the royal fern, sunk deeply in 

 the mire. Where the space of the rock-garden 

 11 



