Plant 



I lie; 



i6i 



and plants were set as soon as the ridges were com- 

 pleted (Fig. XLIII). 



In December, 1920, after the ground had frozen 

 hard, the plants were giien a light co^■ering of straw 

 (Fig. XLIV). 



Early in 1921, at the first indication of growth, all 

 the covering was removed. In Ma}' the plants — 

 except a few whose rhizomes were ver}' small when 

 planted (second row from right, below), and except 

 the germanicje (first row) whose rudimentary flower- 

 stems probably had been injured b}- a severe late 

 frost — bloomed as abundanth' as Irises transplanted 

 earh- the previous season ordinarih' do (Fig. XLV). 



Fic. XL^^— The Irises ix Fk;. XI. Ill, ix May, 19:1 



Notwithstanding the excessive heat and unusual 

 drought the ensuing summer, every plant grew vig- 

 orously and not one was affected by any disease or 

 trouble of any kind (Fig. XLVI). 



The Iris is as indiflferent to atmosphere as to soil. 

 While of course it thrives best in a reasonabh' pure 

 atmosphere, and is less sightly with soiled foliage, 

 it does remarkably well in an atmosphere frequently 

 and to a considerable extent charged with dust, smoke 

 or soot. 



