102 
In planting’, the rhizome should be placed on top 
of the ground and should not be covered with dirt. In 
fact it had better be placed on a little knoll rather than 
in a depression for no water must stand around it. 
They should be planted on dry, well-drained soil. 
Too much moisture will cause root rot. They should 
not be irrigated. Good cultivation will provide suffi¬ 
cient moisture. 
The bearded irises should have an occasional appli¬ 
cation of slacked lime. However, this should not be 
given the non-bearded ones. 
To get new plants, the clumps may be divided into 
single rhizomes. These may be planted six inches to 
a foot apart in rows two to three feet apart and will 
make good salable plants in one season. If left undis¬ 
turbed they will produce their best blooms the second 
season. 
For shipment, the rhizomes should be packed dry. 
The iris must be direct from the hand of God. No 
painter can depict its wonderful blending of colors nor 
its delicate and fragile beauty. 
