Extract from “The Garden,” London. 
“ To describe these new dwarf Alpine Hybrid Irises, one must say that they are 
rhizomatous plants with practically evergreen leaves, some six inches and eight inches 
long (perhaps three and fo'ur inches at flowering time), and one-half inch to one inch in 
width, growing in tufts ; the flowers are produced in early Spring, as soon as the wcathei 
breaks and will allow of growth. They are large, often larger than the plants which pro¬ 
duce them, standing some six inches, eight inches, and, in the tallest varieties, ten 
inches high, with stiff, succulent stalks, which enable them to remain fresh when cut foi 
a considerable time. 
“ In color they range from purest of white, white and cream, white and yellow, pale 
primrose seifs, through yellows to rich yellow with orange. Many havo ovangc beaids, 
then porcelain, pale sky-blue, deep blues, violets, lavenders, purples to black and bionzos, 
pure crimsons and clarets, both in self colors, and in combination with blues and purples. 
Each flower lasts in perfection for from three to six days. 
“ As for situation they arc perfectly hardy—will succeed in exposed wind-swept posi¬ 
tions, small borders, edgings, on rock-works or old walls, for they require very littlo soil, 
and revel in free air and sunshine. They do well on a sunny bank overhung with frees, 
where it is too dry for anything else to grow, for they enjoy a thorough drought in Summer, 
and to be well drained for winter. 
“ What they cannot stand is sodden soil under shady trees, or to bo covered in any 
way by tall weeds or other plants. 
“ Otherwise, when once planted, they take care of thomsolvos. 
“ With an annual clean-up of dead leaves and freedom from weeds, they soon form 
large patches with scores of flowers ; in fact, during flowering timo no plant can vie with 
them for brilliant mass of color, and for the rest of the time they are neat, tidy, blight 
green, cheerful looking plants, that give great variety by their foliage alone to the bordor 
of rock-work, or whatsoever position they may be placed in. 
“ They force readily, and, as a newly-forced flower, provo a great addition to the 
greenhouse, where their bright, conspicuously large flowers give an attractive display 
during January and February. Care must be taken, however, after they have come into 
bloom to give air, and otherwise to keep cool, to preserve the flowers. In a cool green¬ 
house, where they are perfectly happy, they bloom in February and March, and are both 
a new and notable subject. Their flowers are fragrant, and the many intricate linos and 
markings can be well seen close at hand. 
“ Tims the beauty and pre-eminence of Iris over many other flowers is that the more 
they are examined and looked into close at hand, quite apart from their decorative effect 
in the warden, the more interest and beauty do we find in them, and here comes in theii 
special fitness for table decoration.” 
Some of the happiest effects in table decoration can be gained by unconventional 
means in laying the blossom of the Iris, snapped off, and without stalk or water, upon 
the white cloth. 
WE GROW ONLY THE BEST COLORS IN IRIS AND THESE BY THOUSANDS 
