them, and have the rhizome or bulb-like portion of the plant just 

 below the soil level. We usually cover it from a half -inch to an 

 inch, the latter depth when planting late in the season. 



If the plants are to be left in the same position for several 

 seasons, the}' may be planted a distance of two feet apart. After 

 the first year the planting- will no longer appear sparce, and 

 even at three feet the space will rapidly fill up. If an immediate 

 effect is desired, the rhizomes may be set in groups of three or 

 four of a kind, spaced eight or ten inches each way. These 

 groups should then be separated by from two to four feet. If 

 j^ou are buying a collection of different varieties, one plant each, 

 it would be well to give each sort plenty of room and not too 

 close to neighboring varieties unless the colors harmonize. 

 Where space is limited and one wants a wide variety of color, 

 they may be planted a foot ai)art in a straight or staggered row. 



If the ground is dry at planting time, pour enough water into 

 the hole to settle the dirt about the roots. See that the surface 

 does not cake after it dries off, and then keep the plants well 

 cultivated, liglith% but to retain the moisture. Watering should 

 not be done unless the ground a|)pears to be getting quite dry, 

 as too much moisture will sometimes cause rot and in some in- 

 stances will promote excessive growth before winter and result 

 in the bloom center being killed off by spring frosts. This is 

 an explanation of some newly set iris failing to bloom the first 

 spring, but growing well enough otherwise. 



INSECTS AND DISEASES 



This article on iris pests is a short but not a sweet one. The 

 iris, as garden flowers go these days, is fairly free from insects 

 and diseases, but the ones that do appear are exasperatingly 

 annoying, and are not infrequently fatal to individual plants. 

 Notwithstanding this, it may be said in fairness that iris 

 troubles are both less likely to appear, and may be more def- 

 initely controlled, than those attacking many another garden 

 favorite, such as the rose, delphinium, or even the old-time 

 hollj^iock. They are at least definite, discernible, and get-at- 

 able, and not of the insidious type which attacks the constitu- 

 tion of the entire plant, leaving the gardener with an outlook 

 about as hopeful as that of a cancer patient. 



Iris Borer 



Unquestionably the most dreaded trouble of the iris lover is 

 the iris borer, who is just as mean if you meet him under his 

 impressive scientific title of macronoctua onusta Grote. 



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