IRISES AND TENDER BULBS 229 



four inches Ijelow the surrounding surface of 

 the garden or lawn. Usually it is best to board 

 in this sort of a bed, to prevent the edges from 

 being broken or marred. Then the plants are 

 set out, two feet apart, and in winter a cover- 

 ing of leaves, straw or other litter, to which 

 is added a generous amount of old manure, 

 is applied. In the spring this is removed, 

 and when the leaf growth has attained a 

 height of ten or twelve inches, water liberally, 

 letting the stream from a hose flow over the 

 sunken bed when possible. 



This method of planting and cultivation has 

 never failed to give the maximum of bloom and 

 a bloom of maximum size. The flowers some- 

 times measure twelve inches in diameter. The 

 colors range from silvery white through pale 

 blue, lilac, plum and purple, and the flowers 

 are marked with exquisite veinings and star- 

 like centers of contrasting shades, frequently 

 of gold. They bloom luxuriantly in late June 

 and early July. 



But what of the ' ' German irises ' ' 1 They are 

 truly the democrats of our gardens, yet, as al- 

 ready said, they are of the nobility of the 

 flower kingdom. Their flowers are not so fine, 

 perhaps, as those of their Japanese cousins. 



