shrubs rob the soil of moisture and plant food, and so this must 

 also be taken into account when deciding where the iris are to 

 go. Light shade is a satisfactory and sometimes an advantageous 

 adjunct, providing the soil is not sapped by tree roots. 



When to Plant. This is a question of times asked and but little 

 understood by amateurs. Actually, iris may be transplanted 

 almost any time, even when in bloom, but such lack of regard 

 for the intentions of nature often ends in disappointing results. 

 After the flowering season, in June and July, the new offsets 

 or rhizomes are fairly well developed and if removed and 

 planted at that time or during the next few months will gen- 

 erally bloom the following spring. The rhizomes are in a semi- 

 dormant state during these months, and when detached and 

 replanted in moist soil will immediately put out new rootlets 

 and commence to grow. 



In sections of the country where the climate is very arid and 

 no means of providing moisture are readily at hand, planting 

 .should be deferred until late summer or early fall rains are in 

 the offing. Once established the iris can withstand drouth 

 much better than almost any other perennial. 



Where the winters come fairly early, or where temperatures 

 drop into the low freezing bracket, it is of prime importance 

 that iris planting be done early enough so that the new plant 

 has an opportunity to put out root growth and become anchored 

 against the possibility of heaving out of the ground. In such 

 climates a mulch of coarse material such as corn stalks, salt hay, 

 and so on, should be applied shortly after the ground freezes, 

 and removed as soon as the plants show signs of spring growth. 



Spring planting is practical, but seldom done by commercial 

 growers, and generally unsatisfactory results in the way of 

 bloom the first season may be expected. It means that the root- 

 lets must be torn about more or less, at a time when the plant 

 itself is full of sap and green growth. While they will live and 

 usually give a half-hearted attempt at blooming, it is not a good 

 practice and should be done only when conditions make it 

 necessary. 



How to Plant. Somebody once said that an iris should be 

 planted like a duck on the water. He should have to pay a fine 

 equal to the value of all the iris that have been lost as a result 

 of this practice I Where a clump is allowed to develop naturally 

 over a period of years, the rhizomes do pile up on the surface, 

 but they are fastened to old mother earth by tough roots and 

 hang on for dear life. When setting a new rhizome, spread out 

 the small roots well down in the ground, firm the soil about 



