CHAPTER XI 



IBISES AND TENDER BULBS 



The Iris has been called "the poor man's 

 orchid," and a fitting name it is, for in bloom, 

 in richness of coloring, in beauty and in deli- 

 cacy it is of the "blue-blooded" nobility of 

 the flower family, while, in point of culture, 

 in its general adaptability to various con- 

 ditions and various situations, it is as entirely 

 democratic. Cultivate it, nurse it, coddle it, and 

 it will respond eagerly and gladly to every ef- 

 fort, but neglect it, ignore it, trample on it and 

 despise it, and, once planted, it will remain with 

 you, bloom for you, and, if you have the least 

 respect for floral beauty, shame you with its 

 blossoms. It requires little and gives much, 

 and, asking no more than it has received, pre- 

 pares itself at the same time to give you more 

 another season. 



VARIETIES OF IRIS 



This, of course, refers to the common iris of 

 our gardens, a variety with which all planters 

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