CULTURAL AND PLANTING DIRECTIONS 
FOR IRISES 
Bearded and Miscellaneous Bearded Sections. 
Give these the sunniest location possible, as they 
thrive best in full sunshine and flower in proportion 
to the amount received. Avoid full shade and too 
close proximity to tight board fences and walls. 
A dry situation is beneficial; good drainage is es¬ 
sential. If necessary to insure these conditions, raise 
the beds a few inches above the surrounding ground, 
rounding off the edges to shed the water. 
Any good garden soil is suitable. Excessive rich¬ 
ness tends to produce rank growth and fewer flowers. 
If the soil is poor, use bone meal—the safest fertilizer. 
A small handful worked into three or four square feet 
at the time of planting, and again each fall, should 
suffice. Never use fresh manures, leaf mold or peat 
moss. An occasional small application of powdered 
lime or pulverized old mortar is beneficial, particu¬ 
larly if the soil is acid. 
As these plants are very drought-resistant, no con¬ 
cern need be felt if the roots appear dry upon arrival. 
They should, however, be planted as soon as possible. 
Set plants with the top of rhizomes (the fleshy root¬ 
stocks) level with the surface of the soil; spread out 
the fibrous roots fanlike, and press the soil firmly 
about them. If the season is very dry, water not 
oftener than every two weeks until they show vigor¬ 
ous growth. Keep the surface of the soil pulverized 
and free from grass and weeds by frequent but shal¬ 
low cultivation. Keep the rhizomes free of decaying 
vegetation. Thin out every three to five years, if the 
clumps become crowded. 
BEARDLESS SECTIONS 
Japanese, Siberian, Spurias, 
and Various Types and Species 
These also do best in full sunshine, although they 
are somewhat more tolerant of shade than the first 
group. In all other respects, however, the require¬ 
ments are exactly opposite to those indicated for the 
Bearded Irises. 
They thrive best in a moist but well drained loca¬ 
tion, and in soil that contains a considerable amount 
of compost, leaf mold, well decayed manure, peat 
moss, or other humus-producing materials. Lime 
and bone meal, however, are injurious and must not 
be used. They may be watered with impunity, and, 
in the case of the Japanese, with considerable recom¬ 
pense, if done prior to the blooming season. 
They should be planted with the crown two inches 
below the surface of the ground. Late northern 
plantings should be given a mulch of some light ma¬ 
terial (not leaves) until early spring. 
LILLY-OF-THE-VALLEY 
Convallaria Majalis (Lily-of-the-valley). Small, 
white, bell-shaped flowers on drooping stems. Six 
inches. Fine for the rockery. Small clumps....$ .50 
