230 Tall Bearded Iris 



house"), is grown on roofs. This custom is thought, 

 by some, to have originated in a superstition that 

 Irises are efficacious in the prevention of disease, 

 and by others, to have been adopted merely as a means 

 of strengthening the thatch. Another version of the 

 origin of such roof-growing is given under Orris-Root 

 in this chapter. 



ORRIS-ROOT.— "Orris-root" is a corruption of 

 "Iris-root." The violet-scented, chalky appearing 

 orris-root of commerce is obtained from several species 

 (germanica and pallida), Florentina yielding the princi- 

 pal supply. The rhizomes are taken from the ground 

 the latter part of June, in Italy, but in this climate 

 (northern Illinois) August is the proper time. After 

 removal of the leaves and roots the rhizomes are 

 cleaned, and then the brown bark-like skin is scraped 

 off and all imperfections removed — the clump being 

 broken apart to facilitate the work. The pieces are 

 then thoroughly washed and placed in the sun to dry, 

 but they should not be allowed to become wet with 

 rain. After exposure to the sun for eight or nine 

 days they can be packed away in a dry place to mature. 

 When fresh they have an earthy odor but in drying 

 they acquire the pleasant smell of violets — which is 

 fully developed after about three years — which they 

 retain indefinitely — 



* * * like the violet, which decayed in bloom, 



Survives through many a year in rich perfume. 



Scott: Epilogue. 



