184 Tall Bearded Iris 



of ground limestone, to a square yard. As to use of 

 lime see under Where to Plant, page 159-162. 



As to the use of manure, see under Diseases in 

 Chapter VIII; and as to the use of fertilizers in gen- 

 eral, see under Where to Plant, page 159. 



A British agriculturist wrote, some four hundred 

 years ago, "Tillage is manure" — meaning, continual 

 cultivation always tends to render available all plant 

 foods contained in the soil. Of the Iris especially it 

 may well be said — 



* * *The best compost for the lands 



Is the wise master's feet and hands. 



Herrick: Hesperides. 



Transplanting. — The Iris requires a year or two 

 to become established, and the finest flowers are ob- 

 tained from established clumps which therefore should 

 not be disturbed oftener than necessary. 



Nature, in her productions slow, aspires 

 By just degrees to reach perfection's height. 



Somerville: The Chase. 



As most of the varieties increase quite rapidly, 

 every three to five years, depending upon the extent 

 of increase, the clumps should be divided. Unless this 

 is done the clumps will in time crowd each other, and 



