September, 19 13 



AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



309 



Many varieties of Iris are excellent plants for bordering ponds or streams 



with them a lasting impression of the £ 

 of Japan, giving effects which it was at 

 could not be secured elsewhere. Leadi 

 cialists have now proved that 

 the splendid Japanese Iris, 

 which by the way is the largest 

 of all these flowers, will grow 

 very well even if the condi- 

 tions which can be given to it 

 are not those which it would 

 naturally enjoy. It has been | 

 proved that though the plant 

 is well fitted for association 

 with the semi-aquatic species, 

 yet it will be quite happy in 

 a well tilled border. The 

 only noticeable difference | 

 seems to be that the flowers in 

 the dryer situation are not so 

 large. 



The common German 

 Irises, typified in the hand- 

 some Blue Flag, are excellent 

 subjects for those whose gar- 

 dens come under the influence 

 of smoke. Of course the 

 number of species and va- 

 rieties is very large, and a 

 handsome pale blue form is 

 shown in an accompanying 

 photograph. This huge plant, 

 which now bears scores of 

 flowers in the course of a 

 season, originated in a very 

 small root, and in a few years 

 grew to its present propor- 



rlorious Iris fields tions, although in a town garden. These German Irises 

 one time thought have a very curious habit of growing outwards in a very 



ng European spe- aggressive fashion, and are thus able to hold their own 



even in a very crowded bor- 

 der. The plants are so hardy 

 that the roots may be cut up 

 in any way, and small por- 

 tions will grow provided they 

 are cleanly divided and not 

 bruised. The English and 

 Spanish Irises, of which 

 typical examples are shown in 

 the illustrations, are more 

 readily upset by town smoke, 

 but many of the kind are 

 wonderfully accommodating, 

 the only trouble being that 

 in situations which do not 

 please them very well they 

 are apt to die rather mys- 

 teriously, after having given 

 a very fine display of blos- 

 soms for several years. These 

 kinds are rather readily raised 

 from seed and come fairly 

 soon to a flowering size. As 

 well of course we may secure 

 the offsets from the old bulbs, 

 though if this is attempted 

 great care must be taken not 

 to injure the parent roots in 

 any way. Many of these 

 Irises will set seed freely and 

 one may gather one's own 

 crop, and sow it in light sandy 

 Spanish Iris soil directly, it is ripe; in the 



