IRISES AND TENDER BULBS 227 



hardy, and will thrive in almost any situation, 

 throwing flowers gorgeous in coloring, with 

 brilliant shades of purple and gold and a vio- 

 let fragrance. Iris Bakeriana, an Armenian 

 variety, is even earlier, but less showy. Their 

 cultivation is identical with that of the Span- 

 ish and English varieties. 



Of the rhizomatous division, the most diffi- 

 cult to grow is the Oncocyclus class, to which 

 reference has already been made. But, again, 

 why lament the fact that these plants, even 

 granting that they are splendid, resist our best 

 efforts'? Have we not the Japanese as well as 

 the German irises? And, have you ever seen 

 a hundred plants of the Japanese in bloom? 

 It is a sight worth traveling far to see. In 

 Japan they are grown by the million, and dur- 

 ing their season of bloom the little empire is 

 a paradise of color — ^marvelous and exquisite 

 color. The Japanese have been cultivating the 

 iris for generations, and they have brought to 

 bear upon its flowers all the wonderful skill for 

 which they are noted. Travelers have re- 

 marked the iris gardens ever since the tourists 

 began to journey to Japan, but, strange to say, 

 these irises, known as I. Icevigata, or I. Kcemp- 

 feri, as they are called by the trade, as easily 



