February 24 . 
156 
TIIE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
NOTES FROM THE RURAL GROUNDS 
An Odd-colored Iris. —There is prob¬ 
ably more real beauty and variety among 
Iris flowers than in those of any other 
genus of plants not profoundly modified 
by man. There are over 175 species, na¬ 
tive to the north temperate zone, and very 
few have blooms that arc not distinctly 
ornamental. The genus is principally rep¬ 
resented in our gardens by varieties of the 
Japan and Germanica types. The former 
all seem to have developed through count¬ 
less generations of careful breeding by 
Japanese gardeners from a single Asiatic 
species, Iris lievigata. The German Irises 
appear to be mostly hybrids between sev¬ 
eral European species, such as I. squalens, 
Sambucina and Flavescens, Iris German¬ 
ica being very scantily represented among 
the garden kinds usually grown. All 
are hardy plants with creeping rootstocks, 
and are easily grown, soon forming strong 
clumps, decorative when in bloom, alike 
to the wardens of cottager and million¬ 
aire. The hardy bulbous species known 
as English and Spanish Trises are quite 
extensively grown by florists for cut 
blooms, and to less extent by amateurs. 
The bulbs are quite cheap, retailing often 
as low as 75 cents the hundred for mixed 
varieties of the Spanish type. The flow¬ 
ers come in June and are truly beautiful. 
The form is striking and the coloring 
peculiarly rich; blue, yellow, white, 
bronze and purple in the oddest combina¬ 
tions. It is no flattery to compare them 
to orchids, as few orchid blooms show 
equal distinction. The English Irises are 
varieties of I. xiphioides, a native of the 
Pyrenean mountains. They bloom later, 
are larger in bulb and bloom and corre¬ 
spondingly more expensive. The range 
of color is greater, and includes lilac, lav¬ 
ender and tints approaching crimson pur¬ 
ple, but the shades are less intense than 
among the Spanish kinds and, on the 
whole, the effect is less triking. The 
parent form of the Spanish class is known 
botanically as I. Xiphium and is found 
wild in Southern France, Spain, Portugal, 
North Africa, and a few Mediterranean 
islands. Both are very hard}', and only 
need planting in rich mellow soil as soon 
as the bulbs can be obtained, as they do 
not grow well if kept long out of the 
ground. The Spanish Irises bloom when 
planted in a dry situation, but the English 
kinds fail entirely if not provided with 
abundance of moisture throughout their 
short growing season. Both groups may 
easily be flowered in pots or pans in the 
window garden or a cool greenhouse, but 
the bulbs lose much vitality in the pro¬ 
cess, and should be planted outside as 
soon as they ripen. There are other bul¬ 
bous Irises of great beauty and much 
interest, but they arc little grown except 
by botanists and fanciers, and a great 
number of handsome kinds with creeping 
rootstocks or rhizomes like the German 
and Japanese varieties. These range from 
two to three inches in height to a great 
giant, I. ochroleuca, or more properly 
I. orientalis, occasionally growing over 
six feet high, and are adapted to a great 
variety of soils, from wet bog or even 
shallow water to dry, sandy situations. 
They are found in many parts of North 
America, Europe and Asia, but are per¬ 
haps more abundant in North China. 
Nearly all are hardy, and most of them 
are well worth cultivating as they have 
very distinct and handsome blooms. 
The Cushion Irises— Perhaps the 
oddest, and by many regarded as the most 
beautiful class, is known as the Oncocycli 
or Cushion Trises, so called from the. 
rounded cushion-like form of the blooms. 
The perianth or showy part of Iris flow¬ 
ers is split up in six divisions, three ol 
which droop, while the alternate three 
stand more or less upright. The droop¬ 
ing divisions arc termed falls and the up¬ 
right ones standards. The Cushion Irises 
have particularly showy standards, bend¬ 
ing over to form the cushion, which is 
well shown in Fig. 58, page 14f>, engraved 
natural size from a bloom of Iris atro- 
purpurea. The color of this flower is an 
odd but very attractive shade of brown 
purple, looking in some lights like rich 
polished mahogany. The plant is native 
to Syria, blooming in early Spring, and 
seldom growing over eight inches high. 
This is an attractive species but falls far 
short in picturesque beauty to other 
members of the Cushion group, the best 
known of which is the “Mourning Iris,” 
I. Susiana, a native of Asia Minor and 
Persia. The Mourning Iris bears flowers 
of the Oncocyclus form, half a foot 
across, of a peculiar dark grey aspect, 
caused by numerous fine wavy lines of 
black-brown on a creamy white ground. 
This fine species is regularly imported 
by bulb dealers and offered at 15 to 20 
cents each, but few people appear to have 
bloomed it. Other very choice species 
are I. Lorteti, I. Ibcrica and I. Gatesi. The 
last is considered the finest of all, and is 
seldom priced lower than $1 each for dor¬ 
mant roots. It is collected in Armenia 
but is never plentiful. The flowers are of 
the largest size and most perfect form, 
with immense curved standards and falls. 
The general color is a soft delicate gray, 
often with a rosy shade brought out by 
very narrow veins of crimson purple on a 
creamy white ground. Altogether more 
than HO very distinct species and varieties 
of these odd and lovely Cushion Irises 
have been brought in cultivation, and are 
offered by foreign dealers. 
Hard to Grow. —The Oncocyclus Irises 
are not easy to grow, as their require¬ 
ments are quite exacting. They have firm 
tuber-like rhizomes, and are easily trans¬ 
ported when dormant but do not force 
well under glass and though quite hardy 
as regards dry cold, are easily excited into 
growth by Fall rains, and perish from ex¬ 
posure to hard freezing. Two methods of 
culture have proved fairly successful in 
Europe, where they are now highly prized. 
One is to plant in frames in well-drained 
sandy or gravelly soil in which a consid¬ 
erable proportion of mortar or lime rub¬ 
bish has been incorporated. After bloom¬ 
ing the leaves die down, when sashes 
are placed over the frames to keep oft 
rains. The soil soon dries out, and no 
moisture should be allowed to reach the 
roots until late Fall, when too cool to 
start growth. Then the sashes are re¬ 
moved and the soil exposed during Win¬ 
ter, with only a slight mulch to lessen 
heaving until growth starts in the Spring 
when they are replaced to afford protec¬ 
tion from late frosts. The other plan is 
to take up the rhizomes in early Sum¬ 
mer as soon as the tops die down, dry 
them well in shade and store in a perfect¬ 
ly dry place until near December, when 
they may be replanted, placing them very 
firmly in well-drained soil, treated with 
lime. This appears harsh treatment, but 
has succeeded so well abroad that we feel 
justified in trying it on the Rural 
Grounds for growing a collection of the 
choicer species. Iris Susiana is much 
the easiest to handle, and should be more 
extensively planted in this country. It has 
been in cultivation since 1753, and is al¬ 
ways prized by those who succeed with it. 
w. v. F. 
IF YOU WANT A MACHINE FOR 
Ill-Ill DRILLING OR 
VvGIH PROSPECTING 
with either Rope or Pipe Tools, write to us de¬ 
scribing your work, stating depth of wells and 
size of Bits or Drills you want. Our machines are 
the latest and most durable, and the greatest 
money •arners ever made I Results guaranteed. 
LOOMIS MACHINE CO., TIFFIN, OHIO. 
G 
OOD, big “mealy’ potatoes 
can not be produced with¬ 
out a liberal amount of Potash 
in the fertilizer—not less than 
ten per cent. It must be in the 
form of Sulphate of Potash of 
highest quality. 
“Plant Food’' and “Truck Farming-” are two practical 
books which tell of the successlul growing of potatoes and the 
other garden truck—sent free to those who write us for them. 
Address, GERMAN KALI WORKS, 93 Nassau St., New York 
GENUINE PERUVIAN GUANO 
Warranted Pure and. Unadulterated. 
THE BEST SOURCE OF PLANT 
FOOD. 
Nitrate of Soda, Basic Slag, Potash Salts 
AND ALL 
Fertilizer Materials at Lowest Prices. 
Our 80 Page Book, Plant Food Problems, 
sent free of charge, if you mention The Rural. 
New-Yorker. 
Our Agricultural Expert will test your soil and 
advise as to its proper fertilization, free of charge. 
We distribute fertilizing materials from New 
York, Boston, Mass., and Charleston, 8- C. 
COE-MOKTIMEK COMPANY, 
137 Front Street, New York City. 
P URE CANADA HARDWOOD ASHES 
The Best and Most Lasting Fertilizer. 
Good buyers know where to get good quality. Be¬ 
low is a sample of the orders 1 am now booking: 
New York, June 16,1905. Mv Dear Mr. Joynt— 
According to our conversation to-day, you may ship 
me 5 large carloads of ashes to Kensico, X. Y. I want 
3 carloads to spread on 40 acres of land that I intend 
to sow to rye this fall, and 2 carloads for our cemetery. 
Be sure you send me the Joynt brand. Very truly 
yours. (Sgd.) Reese Carpenter, Comptroller. 
jar'Write for price and information to 
.JOHN JOYNT, L. It. 297, Lucknow, Ont. 
SAVE YOUR TREES 
from the Ravage of SAN JOSK, COTTONY 
MAPLE SCALE, I’SYLLA, Etc. 
ALL YOU NEED IS 
“SCALECIDE,” Water, 
AND A GOOD 
SPRAY PUMP. 
Simple, more effective and cheaper than LIME, 
SULPHUR and SALT. 
For sample, testimonials and price de¬ 
livered at your Railroad station, address 
B. G. Pratt Co.,11 Broadway, New York.N.Y. 
INDRUROID 
ROOFING 
Requires no Coating or 
Paint. 
Acid and Alkali Proof. 
Elastic and Pliable 
Always. 
Strong and Tough. 
Absolutely Waterproof. 
Climatic Changes Do Not 
Affect It. 
Practically Fire Proof. 
Can Be Used on Steep or 
Flat Surfaces. 
Any Workman Can Put 
It On. 
No Odor. 
Will not Shrink or Crack 
Light in Weight. 
Does not Taint Water. 
Write for samples, prices and 
circulars. 
H. F. WATSON CO. 
BRIE, PA. 
Chicago, Boston. 
Mention R.N.-Y. 
AGENTS 
WANTED 
For Mend-a-Rip 
Greatly improved. Better than ever. 
Dues all kinds of light and heavy 
riveting and 
stitching. 
haves Its 
cost many times a year. A per¬ 
fect Hand hewing Machine and Riveter 
combined. Notice the Automatic Spacer 
which makes neat, even stitching- To 
■how it means a Bale. Agents make 
$3 to $15 a day. One agent made |20 first 
day and writes to hurry machines to him. Write forspeo 
lal agts. price. J B. Foote Foundry Co.Dep. 337 Fredericktown.O 
( The Great Agents Supply House) 
SAL1MENE 
THE BEST REMEDY FOR 
SAN JOSE SCALE. 
Liquid or Powder Form. Circulars and price on 
application. 
MONMOUTH CHEMICAL WORKS, 
Shrewsbury, New Jersey. 
SAN JOSE SCALE 
and other INSECTS killed by 
GOOD’S 
Caustic Potash Whale-Oil Soap No. 3 
Endorsed by U. S. Dept, of Agri. and State Experiment 
Stations. This soap is a Fertilizer as well as an Insecti¬ 
cide. 54-lb. kegs. $2.50; 100-lb. kegs, $4.50; half barrel, 
2701b.,3>kcper lb; barrel,425 lb.,3t£c. Send for booklet. 
JAIMES UOOI), Original Maker. 
939-41 N. Front Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 
AUTO-POP, 
AUTO-SPRAY. 
Great cleaning attachment on per¬ 
fect compressed air sprayer. Note 
how easy—cleans nozzle every time 
used, saves half the mixture. Brass 
pump, 4 gal. tank. 12 plungerstrokes 
compresses air to spray % acre. We manu¬ 
facture the largest Udo In America of high 
grade hand and power sprayers. Catalog free. 
WritO OS if you wantagejjcy. 
E. C. BROWN CO., 
28 Joy St., Rochootor, N, Y. 
FARMERS-SAVE 25 c p e e „ r « 
Get a Perfection Sprayer. Spray your ja pa pa an 
trees, potatoes, vines—everything. Will*pay (■ |1 || 1 If 
for Itself first season. Hand and horsepower \ M |( I V 
combined. Send for our new catalogue—free. A \ 
Thomas Peppier. Box 45, Hightstown, N. J. w I II HI 
More Power Spraying outfits with 
onrl '2 and 2 Hz H. P. AIR-COOLED 
Engines are used than all others com¬ 
bined. No water to freeze or carry. 
It is light. Write for Catalog 5 on 
Engines for Power aud Spraying. 
It. H. DEYO & CO., Binghamton, New York. 
T 
I Something New. Gets twice the results with same labor 
| a nd fluid. A ll sizes. Flat or round spray from same nozzle. 
pAFor trees, vines, vegetables, whitewashing, 
(disinfecting, wagons, fire, etc., etc. 
Agents 
Wanted. 
Circular free. 
Rochester Spray PumpTCo., 16 East It*., Rochester N. T. 
The “Kant-Klog” Sprayer 
PUMP 
a^TRIX 
10 
"NoTrix" 
To introduce our patented pumps in eve,, 
county, wo will Bond one pump 
to the first to wnto accepting our 
special Offer. Write to-day 
AWooden Pump matte 
Of Iron . Just remove fulcrum 
aud handle to remove suck- 
leather. Stock made of stoel, base 
adjustable, brass drain cock prevents 
freezing. Guaranteed. 
All repairs done quickly above ground. 
'•Williams” Pump €o., 409 Harmon St., Indianapolis, Ind. 
H0RICUM 
KILLS SAN JOSE SCALE 
Made 
by 
HAMMOND’S SLUG SHOT WORKS, "•“W*"*’ 
SOLD BY SEED DEALERS OF AMERICA. 
hUBBARDI 
Made from Fresh Animal Prod¬ 
ucts, Raw Bone, Meat and the best 
grades of Agricultural Chemicals. 
We absolutely guarantee them to 
contain no Acid Phosphates in any 
form—except in the so-called Phos. 
phates. 
Conceded the standard by every 
fertilizer manufacturer. 
HUBBARD’S 
FERTILIZERS 
THE ROGERS & HUBBARD CO., MIDDLETOWN, CONN. 
Send today for free booklet, re¬ 
plete with information about proper 
fertilizer treatment for different 
crops, and Guaranteed Analyses of 
our various fertilizers. Contains 
also strong testimonials from many 
continuous users. The progressive 
farmer will find it of genuine value 
and interest. 
