IRISES. 



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the flower down the claw and lower part of the blade, called the " fall," the upper 

 portion of the flower the standard, as shown in Mr. Barr's illustration, Fig. 25, page 55. 



The irises of the group with rhizomatous root-stocks are propagated by division of 

 these. This is better performed in August than at any other season, but may be done in 

 spring or summer. They may also be propagated, and new varieties raised, by means of 

 seeds sown, if possible, as soon as ripe. These generally lie about a year before germi- 

 nation. They may be sown in the open ground, or in pans, or boxes placed in frames. 

 The young plants ought to be pricked out a few inches apart whenever they become a 

 suitable size, 



Dwarf Bearded Irises. 

 A charming section of Bearded Irises is formed by a number of species and varieties 

 varying in height from 6 to 18 inches. These may be grown in a similar way to the 

 taller sections. The dwarf irises form attractive plants for the front of the border, the 

 rockery, or as edgings for taller plants. A selection of these beautiful little plants follows. 

 They can be confidently recommended for wider cultivation. 



Beardless Flag Irises. 

 Three are also many species of Beardless Flag Irises, a number of these being of 

 great beauty. Several of the beardless irises are well suited for growing as semi-aqua- 

 tics, and in the selection of kinds these have a distinguishing mark. They may also 

 be grown as border plants, but are more vigorous when cultivated in shallow water, or 

 where their roots have free access to moisture. Their propagation is effected in a similar 

 way to that of the other flag irises. 



The Japanese Flag Irises. 

 The Japanese I. laevigata, frequently known as I. Keempferi, has produced magnifi- 

 cent florists' varieties of these distinct Flag Irises, to the beauty and splendour of colour 

 of which we cannot hope to do justice. The colours appended to the names in the 

 selection given are only those of the main body colour, the shades being indescribable. 

 Some are beautifully veined, flaked, or margined, and, with the exception of the 

 whites, all have a halo-like shading of pale or deeper blue round the yellow blotch which 

 is seen just under the petaloid stigma. The flowers are larger and flatter than those of 

 the other irises. Some produce six petals instead of three, and are marked d (page 55). 



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