September 2(5, 1885. 
the gardening world 
00 
Other elegant forms are shown in the lower group of 
illustrations. These are not only available for grow¬ 
ing Hyacinths in, but when filled with cut flowers at 
any other time form elegant ornaments for any room. 
Bulbs and glasses having been obtained, and the 
right time at hand for putting them into use, fill the 
glasses with clear fresh rain-water to within about £ in. 
of the base of the bulb, and if readily obtainable put 
Where charcoal and clear rain-water is used, changing 
the water and cleaning the glasses will not often be 
required ; but under opposite conditions, it is desirable 
that this should be occasionally done, and it must be 
done carefully to prevent any of the brittle roots from 
being broken. To many this is a tedious process, and 
to obviate it to a very great extent an Erfurt firm have 
introduced a tube into the ordinary form of glass, as 
in each glass a few small pieces of charcoal before put¬ 
ting the bulb in position. The charcoal will help to 
keep the water sweet so that it will not need to be 
changed very often. When the glasses are filled and 
the bulbs are in position, put them in a cool dark cup¬ 
board or other position where a tolerably equable 
temperature is maintained, that the roots may make a 
good growth before the leaves make their appearance, 
for on this depends much of the after success. Watch 
the glasses carefully and add fresh water as required to 
keep it up to the same height as at first, and when the 
shown in the illustration immediately above, for the use 
of which we are indebted to Messrs. Cannell & Sons, 
Swanley, who first brought it under our notice. 
-- 
SELECT HARDY PERENNIALS. 
( Continued from p. 22. J 
Iris. —A short name, but a noble and mighty genus 
among hardy plants, a genus which for diversity of 
colour, combined with a lengthened flowering period, 
has no equal among perennials. It is indeed difficult 
roots have grown to about 6 ins. long it will be time 
to put the plants into the light, first on a sideboard for 
a few days to inure them to the light gradually. Then 
place them close to a window or on a greenhouse shelf 
close to the glass, and supply them with water as 
before. If put in a window the plants should be fre¬ 
quently turned round that all sides may have the same 
advantages, and so prevent them from being drawn 
into a one-sided position. 
to determine at what period they commence to flower, 
or when they cease to do so. The principal species 
which renders it thus difficult, is I. stylosa, which 
though generally referred to as winter flowering, I have 
had flowers of at all times of the year, from November to 
June. It is an evergreen species from Algiers, and one 
of the most lovely plants of my acquaintance. When 
all around is dormant and at rest, the days dark, 
dreary, and cold, and the earth in a snowy mantle 
wrapt, even then comes the fragrant lavender coloured 
blossoms of this charming plant, to gladden the mind, 
and brighten the surrounding gloom. It forms a com¬ 
pact tuft, somewhat similar to the Libertias, and grows 
about 15 ins. high ; the leaves are strap shaped, and 
from these the flowers issue, unexpected it may be, but 
not unwelcome, coming at this time ; it is quite unique, 
and deserving of every care. It is quite easily grown, 
and increased, though those who prefer fine specimens 
will do well to allow them to remain undisturbed for 
years. But to return, for I had not intended to par¬ 
ticularise on this family at the present time, only to 
call attention to any seasonable work, which might be 
accomplished. 
It is hardly necessary to make any comment on the 
extreme usefulness of the Iris family as a whole, for no 
lover of beauty, can in my opinion, behold these liases 
in bloom without appreciating them, for like the 
C’attleya and Lrelia in the Orchid-house, they are charac¬ 
terised by the extreme delicate satiny appearance, 
beautified in the highest degree by varying hues and 
shades, marvellously blended so as to almost defy the 
painter’s art to reproduce them, in short they are 
unparalleled for grace and elegance, and all this 
loveliness, this exquisite grace and form of some of 
the hardiest of hardy plants, plants too, which do not 
object to smoky or thickly populated districts, and 
which may be easily grown in ordinary vegetable 
soil. Having said so much of the family collectively, 
I will now confine my concluding remarks respecting 
them more generally to the Germanica section, 
namely :— 
Iris germanica.— This is the section of which the 
typical form may often be seen in cottage gardens and 
shrubberies in huge ungainly clumps, which, from 
sheer neglect, seldom flower in anything like a satis¬ 
factory manner. It is not this particular kind, or with 
this particular mode of treatment, that the genus will 
be made famous, for, though of free and easy growth, 
they are not adapted for planting under Lilacs, or similar 
things, whose masses of fibrous roots rob them of the 
moisture they so much need. Nothing can equal their 
floral beauty from May to July, and those who would lay 
up in store a supply of these charming flowers for the 
coming year, should do so by commencing planting at 
once. The recent abundant rains are much in favour 
of the operation, and by planting them now, you are 
insuring strong vigorous plants for next season’s flower¬ 
ing. The planting is a simple work, and I need only 
add one word of caution to the unitiated, which is this, 
do not plant the rhizomes (which are the large thick 
tuber-like procumbent stems composing the root-stock) 
too deeply, not sufficiently deep to bury any portion of 
the green top. Let the ground be dug deeply, and 
fairly well enriched with manure, and cow-manure is 
the best if the ground be stony, previous to planting, 
taking care to place them firmly in position. As to 
the best varieties it is difficult to decide, for their 
name is legion, and the majority are good alike. The 
best plan will be to leave the selection to your nursery - 
man, whom, I doubt not, will treat you both fairly and 
liberally. Of the rest of this family I will say more anon. 
Latiiyrus latifolius. —This is the perennial or 
“ Everlasting Pea,” which has probably received its 
popular name from its being of perennial existence. 
It is well known, especially among cottagers, and may 
often be seen flowering in the wildest profusion where 
it has remained unmolested for years ; and its large 
bright red flowers are very useful for cutting, being 
very serviceable. Very desirable, also, but alas, far from 
common is the pure white variety, which one sees so 
seldom now. In general appearance this is identical 
with the foregoing, but having pure white flowers. Of 
the coloured-flowered varieties, L. grandiflorus is the 
best, the flowers being extra fine, and of a fine crimson- 
scarlet hue. One and all of these pierennial Peas are 
adapted for common garden soil, and may be supported 
by a single stake, or several twiggy ones. For the 
summit of a large rockery they are also suited, allowing 
them to lie upon the ground and to ramble at will among 
the large stones ; thus placed it is very pleasing and 
natural. The first and last named come pretty true 
from seed, but the white, while produced in plenty, 
invariably lacks the purity of the original plant. In 
spring these may easily be propagated by being taken 
off with a heel, and inserted in sandy soil in a warm 
frame ; they will emit roots in ten days. 
Leucanthemum maximum.— This is a “Marguerite” 
of large proportions, and of good substance, distinct 
