On Raising Varieties of the Iris Xiphioides. 



413 



parting the roots ; they may be sown in slight drills, about 

 six inches asunder, as soon as ripe, and in the March fol- 

 lowing they will make an appearance very similar to rows of 

 young Onions. With no other care, than frequent weeding, 

 they may remain in the seed-bed for three years, for they 

 are much more hardy than most kinds of seedling bulbs, 

 and, therefore, will not even require protection from the 

 frosts. In August or September of the third year, it will be 

 necessary to transplant them into beds, at one foot distance, 

 row from row, and the bulbs, six inches apart ; and in two 

 years from their removal, most of the strongest will shew 

 blossom, and nearly all in the year following, or the sixth 

 from the seed. 



If, during the time the roots are at rest, the top surface of 

 the earth is carefully removed, and fresh light loam is sub- 

 stituted, a year will be saved, for this treatment will greatly 

 promote the growth of the bulbs, and with these, as well as 

 many other seedling plants, it is not a stated time that must 

 pass before they blossom, but only such a portion, as will 

 allow the bulb to attain a size sufficient to contain vigour to 

 produce and perfect a flower stem, the rudiment of which 

 is formed in the preceding summer. When they blossom, 

 a selection can be made, and the varieties perpetuated by 

 the increase of their offsets. The most proper time for re- 

 moving the bulbs, is in August and September, those kept 

 out of ground until Christmas rarely blossom in the suc- 

 ceeding summer. They will thrive in almost any soil or 

 situation, except where sand or chalk are within a few inches 

 of the surface. 



There are several species of Iris with bulbous roots, which 



