264 MAKING HORTICULTURE PAY 



color from white to dark maroon and purple, both 

 single and double, with every shade of markings in 

 blotches, stripes, and pencilings. The iris will 

 grow in almost any soil, but prefers a lively loam 

 and a moist or wet situation. It will thrive in a 

 marshy soil or beside a brook. 



" In ordinary seasons in this climate the flowers 

 will not come up to expectations unless the soil is 

 moist. Deep cultivation is also desirable, as the 

 roots will go down at least 2 feet in search of 

 moisture, if it is not provided for them nearer the 

 surface. To secure moisture in a dry location a 

 liberal mulching is needed. Unlike most plants so 

 fond of damp situations, the iris dislikes shade and 

 thrives best in a hot, airy place. Propagation is 

 easily effected by division or from seed. The 

 former method is preferred, as a bed of seedlings 

 gives but a small proportion of choice flowers. 

 Division should always be made in autumn, and it 

 is best not to let the clumps die out in the centers. 

 In the ordinary garden the best results can be ob- 

 tained only by deep cultivation, heavy manuring, 

 and deep mulching. With such treatment the open 

 border will show clumps of plants bearing flowers 

 that rival the orchids. 



PEONIES NEED SPACE 



" While the peony belongs with hardy, herbace- 

 ous plants, its treatment is so different from those 

 noticed that I will briefly call attention to some of 

 its peculiarities. It will not do well in a crowded 

 border, where other plants thrive luxuriantly, but 

 must have an open, airy situation, a good, strong 

 soil, and an abundance of plant food. It should 

 never be disturbed as long as it produces its flowers 



